What’s happening: The coalition is expected to present the first parts of the judicial reform bill and to vote on its first reading today.
- Over the weekend Justice Minister Yariv Levin said, “We’re proceeding to advance the reform without stopping for even a minute, nor are we prepared to suspend it for even a second.”
- Today’s vote will be on two proposed amendments to Basic Law: Legislation. The first seeks to change the composition of the Judges Selection Committee to grant the coalition an in-build majority.
- The second amendment will prevent the High Court of Justice from either discussing or striking down basic laws. [For more details on the proposals, read our explainer]
- This morning protests have already begun, including outside the homes of various members of the coalition.
- On Saturday night an estimated 200,000 people protested in Tel Aviv and at dozens of other cities across Israel. This was the protests’ seventh consecutive week.
- In Jerusalem, in parallel to the usual demonstration, there was a right wing protest against the reforms attended by hundreds of people. One of the key speakers was former head of Shin Bet Security Service Yoram Cohen. He told the crowd, “It appears that the purpose of the proposed judicial reform isn’t to improve the justice system but to neutralise it. In the absence of a constitution, the Supreme Court is the only stronghold protecting the rights of citizens of the state against injurious decisions by the legislative branch and the executive branch.”
- Cohen continued, “The reform, should all its components be enacted, will change Israel from a ‘democratic country’ into a country that isn’t that, and will severely damage our country’s character.”
- Today’s protest outside parliament is expected to include a broad cross section of civil society including: doctors, lawyers, high-tech employees, architects, university students and lecturers, and LGBTQ organisations.
- Last night Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke to the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organisations. He said at the start: “In case you haven’t noticed, Israel is in the midst of a little thing on judicial reform. I’d like to speak to you on it at length and to tell you why you shouldn’t worry. But for the moment, I’m prevented from doing that because I’ve been given a gag order. I’m not making this up. I’ve been given a gag order. After all, who am I? I’m just the prime minister of Israel. What have I got to say about this thing that is gripping the nation. It is patently ridiculous. I hope you notice the grotesqueness of the situation, including President Herzog and one of the leading members of the opposition and calls for my intervention.”
Context: It appears the two sides are entrenched in their positions as the legislative process moves forward apace, so the protest movement is growing.
- Today will be the first time that a bill that is part of the judicial reform will be put to a vote in the chamber.
- By advancing the bill, the coalition is ignoring President Herzog’s parameters that called last week to halt the process to allow for dialogue.
- However, Herzog is still optimistic about the chances of reaching a compromise. He said last night, “I am stating unequivocally, based on my experience and my position: we can reach agreement….in a relatively short time. Even a few days. Not years and months.”
- The Attorney-General has prevented the Prime Minister from engaging in the reforms as they are in conflict of interest with his own trial. Specifically over the appointment of judges, that could one day hear an appeal in his case.
- Ironically, many are looking to Netanyahu as the only figure powerful enough to reign in the legislation and dilute some of the proposed changes. There is still hope that after the first reading those changes can still be made.
- Despite ignoring the President’s deadline, Israeli media reports that behind the scenes senior Likud officials have accused Justice Minister Levin of forcing Netanyahu into a conflict he doesn’t want. The Likud officials said that Levin has taken an extreme position, and hasn’t adopted the position that Netanyahu would like in order strike a compromise through dialogue.
Looking ahead: Beyond the first reading of the bill that is expected to begin this evening, the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee will continue to meet throughout this week.
- The next bill on the committee’s agenda would allow for a regular law to be struck down only by a unanimous vote of the entire Supreme Court (15/15), and only if “the law clearly contradicts a provision enshrined in a basic law.”
- On Wednesday the committee will hold a classified meeting to discuss the international repercussions of the judicial reform.
- Also Wednesday the “second Deri bill” will be put to a vote in a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum. That amendment is designed to allow Deri to be reinstated as a cabinet minister.
- Another amendment, which will subordinate the Police Internal Investigations Department to the justice minister, will also be put to a vote on Wednesday. This is a private members bill that was postponed last week by the Likud’s chief whip to allow time for the presidents call for dialogue.
