Israeli government delays vote on controversial judicial reform bills
Israel’s governing coalition delayed several Knesset votes related to a contentious judicial reform that were scheduled for Wednesday.
Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu accepts the mandate to form a government from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Nov. 13, 2022. Photo by Kobi Gideon/GPO.
Coalition chairman Ofir Katz said the postponement came at the request of President Isaac Herzog, who is trying to broker a compromise.
Katz stressed, however, “This postponement will not affect the continuation of the judicial reform.”
The delayed legislation included what is known as the “Deri Bill,” which aims to bring Shas party leader Aryeh Deri back into senior ministerial positions after the High Court of Justice disqualified him in January over previous criminal charges.
Another bill would have made ministerial appointments outside the scope of High Court oversight, paving the way for Deri’s return to a senior government position.
Another bill would have shifted oversight of the police unit investigating police misconduct from the State Prosecutor to the Justice Minister, and would have empowered the Justice Minister to investigate prosecutors. A separate bill to restrict the Supreme Court’s ability to strike down laws has also been postponed.
All of these bills would have faced further legislative hurdles before becoming law.
The changes came as President Herzog hosted separate meetings with government and opposition figures on Tuesday night. A session of the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee was cancelled while committee chairman Simcha Rothman met with Herzog. Herzog also met with opposition leader Yair Lapid.
The reforms would primarily alter the way judges are appointed and removed, give the Knesset the ability to override certain High Court rulings, restrict the ability of judges to apply standards of “reasonableness,” and change the way legal advisors are appointed to government ministries.
Supporters say the reforms are necessary measures against years of judicial overreach. Opponents say the measures go against democracy and seek to entrench Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Aryeh Deri. Netanyahu is in the middle of a trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
The government’s planned changes have ignited Israeli passions. On Monday, an estimated 90,000-130,000 Israelis converged in Jerusalem’s government district to protest the plan, with many coming from out of town.
