In brief
As the war in Gaza continues, Israeli lawmakers have enacted controversial legislation granting politicians more power to select judges, reviving a divisive judicial overhaul that had been paused due to mass protests before the conflict.
In a significant legislative move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition advanced a contentious judicial overhaul on Thursday, rekindling a divisive debate that had simmered prior to the outbreak of war in Gaza. The Knesset, Israel's 120-seat Parliament, approved two new laws after extensive overnight discussions, despite widespread opposition boycotting the vote. The newly passed legislation alters the structure of the committee responsible for appointing judges, including Supreme Court justices, leading critics to warn of increasing politicization in the judiciary. This action marks a renewed attempt by Netanyahu's government to strengthen its influence across various governmental branches, following a similar push before the conflict with Hamas erupted in October 2023. Netanyahu had previously suspended his legislative agenda to foster a sense of national unity during wartime. However, the recent resurgence of judicial reform proposals arrives amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Demonstrations erupted outside the Knesset on the eve of the vote, where protesters unfurled Israeli flags while voicing frustration with the proposed legal revisions. Notably, many demonstrators also called for a swift resolution to negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas.Inside the Knesset, Netanyahu characterized the government's recent decisions as necessary measures to counter an unelected "deep state," a phrase reminiscent of rhetoric from former President Donald J. Trump. As tensions mount both within the government and in the streets of Jerusalem, the implications for Israel's democratic framework remain deeply uncertain.
