- Israel’s Supreme Court struck down a law limiting its oversight of government decisions.
- The law was part of Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul.
- The decision was made with a narrow majority of 8 judges supporting to 7 opposing.
- The struck-down law prevented the court from reviewing government policies based on “reasonability.”
- Some judges believed the law damaged core democratic characteristics of the state.
- Minister of Justice Yariv Levin criticized the ruling, stating it took powers away from elected officials.
Why is this important?
- The ruling may signal a shift back into a constitutional crisis in Israel.
- It reflects ongoing tensions between Israel’s judiciary and legislative branches.
- The decision maintains the Supreme Court’s role in checking government actions, crucial to Israeli democracy.
Contested claims
- The interpretation of the Court’s power to strike down a Basic Law: Israel Hayom highlights that some judges support this authority while others, including Judge Noam Sohlberg, disagree, emphasizing it should only be in exceptional cases of harm to fundamental rights.
- The impact on democratic characteristics: While Israel Hayom and Haaretz indicate judges viewed the law as harming democratic features, Ynet quotes Justice Minister Levin suggesting the Supreme Court’s actions are undemocratic.
Claims made by a single publication
- Specific Judge’s perspective: Ynet mentions Judge Yosef Elron’s belief in a narrow exception for judicial oversight of Basic Laws.
- Minister of Justice Yariv Levin’s response, calling the decision unprecedented in Western democracies, and stating they won’t be deterred from continuing the judicial reforms (Ynet).
- Axios provides international context, mentioning President Biden’s call for consensus on judicial reforms and the law’s part in Israel’s larger political turmoil.
- Axios mentions that the controversy surrounds concerns of a potential war with Lebanon and occurs amidst the Gaza conflict.
