From the BBC:
“Israel judicial reform: What is the crisis about?”
Israel is in the grip of one of the most serious domestic
crises in its history, with uproar over the government's plans to change the
way the judicial system works. Here is a brief guide to what is going on.
What is happening in Israel? Since the start of the year, huge
weekly protests have been held by people opposed to the government's reform
plans. The scale of the protests has escalated, with hundreds of thousands of
people packing the streets in towns and cities across the country. Undeterred,
the government passed into law on Monday the first planned change - a so-called
"reasonableness" bill - removing the Supreme Court's power to cancel
government decisions it deems unreasonable. Protesters have called for
all the planned reforms to be scrapped and for the Prime Minister, Benjamin
Netanyahu, to resign. They are supported by Mr Netanyahu's political rivals, as
well as former top officials in Israel's military, intelligence and security
services, former chief justices, and prominent legal figures and business
leaders amongst others. In a move which has caused deep concern on both
sides, hundreds of military reservists, including air force pilots crucial to
Israel's defence, have threatened to refuse to report for service. This has led
to warnings that it could leave the country's security seriously exposed.
What are people so angry about? Mr Netanyahu's opponents say the
reforms will severely undermine the country's democracy by weakening the
judicial system, the only tool for keeping the government's use of its power in
check. Underlying this is strong opposition to the kind of government
currently in office - the most right-wing in Israel's history - and to Mr
Netanyahu himself. Critics say the reforms will shield Mr Netanyahu, who
is currently on trial for alleged corruption (he denies the charges) and help
the government pass laws without any brakes. The government argues that
the judiciary interferes too much with legislation, is biased in support of
liberal issues and is undemocratic in the way judges are selected.
What are the legal reforms at the centre of the crisis? They concern the power of the
government versus the power of the courts to scrutinise and even overrule the
government. The government - and others - say reform is overdue, though the
plans go much further than many people would like. Besides the
"reasonableness" law, the government wants to: Weaken the power of
the Supreme Court to review or throw out laws, enabling a simple majority of
one in the Knesset (parliament) to overrule such decisions, Have a decisive say
over who becomes a judge, including in the Supreme Court, by increasing its
representation on the committee which appoints them. Scrap the requirement for
ministers to obey the advice of their legal advisers - guided by the attorney
general - which they currently have to do by law
How far will the crisis go? With fury on the streets and a battle
of wills playing out, the crisis seems likely to intensify. Mr Netanyahu
has said he will try and reach wide public agreement on the rest of the reforms
during the Knesset's summer recess (August to mid-October). The prime
minister is however dependent on far-right ministers in his cabinet, without
whose support his government could collapse. Those ministers have insisted the
reforms must be passed and not watered down. The opposition says it will
not re-enter talks unless the process is stopped.
Israel's main labour union has threatened a general strike
and protesters are vowing to step up their action, with no end to the turmoil
in sight.
^ What's the point of something called "Supreme"
(like a Supreme Court) if the Government no longer has any Checks and Balances
and can simply so whatever it wants?
I don't care for our current US Supreme Court, but I also
don't want Congress or the President to
have sole Authority over all Laws and Decisions.
It's sad to see Israel do this.^
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