Israel: an upcoming justice reform that upsets the balance of power
Yariv Levin, in Jerusalem, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. AP - Maya Alleruzzo
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
As soon as it came to power, the new Israeli government, the most right-wing in the country's history, is tackling justice reform.
Objective: to increase the power of elected officials over that of magistrates.
It was a campaign promise.
This reform was presented in broad outline by the new Minister of Justice, Yariv Levin.
Publicity
Read more
From our correspondent in Jerusalem
,
Sami Boukhelifa
If this reform is adopted, it will upset the balance of power.
The Israeli Parliament, composed mainly of right-wing parties, the extreme right and religious parties, will gain in power, to the detriment of Justice.
Until then, the Israeli Supreme Court acts as a safeguard.
In Israel, where there is no Constitution, the Supreme Court can repeal laws passed by parliamentarians if it considers them to be contrary to the fundamental laws of the country.
If the reform is adopted, the deputies will have a “derogatory” clause.
It would allow them, with a simple majority vote, to overrule Supreme Court decisions.
"
Peril
"
To defend his reform, the Minister of Justice, from the party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, explains: “
Democracy is in danger when we vote in the ballot box, but each time unelected people
[judges]
, decide for us
”.
This reform comes at a time when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial for corruption in several cases.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid denounces a reform that “
endangers the entire Israeli legal system
”.
►
To listen also: Israel: the drift to the far right
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
Israel
Justice
Binyamin Netanyahu
Corruption