Israeli Parliament Gives Initial Approval To Controversial Bill

The Israeli parliament voted on Tuesday in favour of a controversial bill that limits part of the Supreme Court’s powers.

The bill is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s planned judicial overhaul which has thrown Israeli society into turmoil and sparked nationwide massive demonstrations since it was first announced in January.

Overnight between Monday and Tuesday, the bill passed the first of three readings required for it to become law.

All 64 lawmakers of the far-right coalition government voted in favor, while 56 lawmakers voted against. As the results were announced at the plenum, opposition lawmakers erupted in shouts of “Shame! Shame!”

Prior to the vote, hundreds of protesters staged rallies outside the Knesset building, while another group managed to enter the building and was subsequently forcibly removed.

The provision was proposed by Netanyahu’s far-right government, which was inaugurated in late December.

If fully passed after an additional two rounds of votes, the provision would prevent the Supreme Court from overturning government decisions based on the grounds of “reasonability.”

It is a key provision in the contentious overhaul, which seeks to diminish the powers of the Supreme Court.

Opponents said that the overhaul will undermine the rule of law, while Netanyahu contends the change is needed to curb the overly activist Supreme Court.

The leaders of the grassroots movement against the overhaul, including prominent legal experts, economists, hi-tech entrepreneurs and former senior security officials, have announced plans for a “Disruption Day” on Tuesday.

As part of the protest, demonstrations are held across the country, and major highways, including those leading to Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, which will be blocked.

NAN/Oyenike Oyeniyi