Israel’s Supreme Court Invalidates Judicial Reform Law that Weakens Legal Powers

On January 1, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that the Judiciary Reform Law, which weakens the powers of the courts, is invalid. The picture shows the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the judges. Representative photo taken in Jerusalem in September 2023 (2024 Reuters)

JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel’s Supreme Court ruled on the 1st that a judicial reform law that weakens the powers of the courts is invalid. The law triggered large-scale protests in the country, and Western countries expressed concern that it would lead to an obstacle in democracy.

The reform of the judicial system promoted by the Netanyahu government amended the Basic Law, which corresponds to the constitution, and removed one of the ways in which the Supreme Court could overrule decisions by the government or ministers if they were considered unreasonable.

The Supreme Court said in its ruling that amending the Basic Law “would completely eliminate the possibility of a judicial review of the reasonableness of the decisions of the government, the prime minister, and the cabinet.” “This would have a serious and unprecedented negative impact on the core characteristics of Israel as a democratic state.”

The ruling will test the unity of the National Unity Cabinet, which includes hard-line Finance Minister Smotrich and former central defense ministers Gantz and Gallant, who oppose reform.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party issued a brief statement saying the ruling was regrettable and went against “the will of the people, especially for unity in times of war.” No future action was identified.

Finance Minister Smotrich condemned the ruling as “extreme and divisive.”

Former opposition Prime Minister Lapid said the ruling ends a difficult year that divided the country and led to one of the worst disasters in history.

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