Israel's 'Handmaids' become a defining image of the mass protests against Netanyahu's judicial reforms
Business InsiderNov 28, 2022
The Facts
On Thursday, Israel ratified a law limiting the circumstances in which a prime minister can be removed.
In a 61-to-47 vote, the Knesset approved the bill that would allow only the prime minister himself, or two-thirds of the cabinet, to declare the leader unfit. The cabinet vote would then need to be ratified by a super majority in the parliament.
The Spin
Left narrative
Israel is on the verge of becoming a dictatorship as PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition dismantles all obstacles in his path to unlimited power, as evidenced by this latest bill, which is a self-serving tool to safeguard his iron grip on the nation. Many Israelis know the danger that could come if Netanyahu’s judicial reforms come to fruition and the courts lose their authority. Something must be done to stop this autocratic coup.
Right narrative
There are many vocal opponents trying to paint Israel’s judicial reform as a far-right takeover, but that is far from the truth; the reality is actually quite the opposite. The self-appointed Israeli Supreme Court has autocratic, unchecked powers that allow it to nullify and rewrite democratically-enacted laws and policies on the basis of subjective justifications. Consequently, these reforms are crucial to curb the court's undemocratic excesses and protect the rule of law.
