Might Netanyahu Back Down on His Judicial Overhaul?
TimeNov 25, 2022
The Facts
Israel's High Court of Justice on Monday struck down the only piece of legislation so far passed by the country's parliament relating to the highly contentious judicial reform agenda of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
The ruling was especially significant as it saw 12 out of the 15 judges declare that the High Court of Justice had the power to review the country's Basic Laws.
The Spin
Left narrative
A well-thought-out constitution provides the scaffolding of reason and justice to a democracy. Israel's lack of a constitution is partly made up for by the "reasonableness" doctrine and the venerable Basic Laws which, together, give the judiciary an oversight into lawmaking in the country, as well as the essential guardrails to keep laws from turning abusive. Benjamin Netanyahu's government looked to rampage through these safeguards, but it's now been stopped right in its tracks.
Right narrative
The government of Israel has long been operating with one arm tied behind its back. Judicial interference cannot be allowed to suppress the voice and aspirations of a nation's majority without undermining democracy. Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed judicial reforms seek to bring a semblance of balance to governance in Israel. Monday's pushback by the judiciary has only proven the government's point all over again.
