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The Judicial Overhaul That Has Torn Israeli Society Apart

Israeli security forces use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the entrance of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem on July 24, 2023, amid a months-long wave of protests against the government’s planned judicial overhaul. Israeli lawmakers on July 24 prepared for a final vote on a major component of the hard-right government’s controversial judicial reforms even as US President Joe Biden called for postponing the “divisive” bill that has triggered mass protests. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) (Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

The Judicial Overhaul That Has Torn Israeli Society Apart

Israeli security forces use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the entrance of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem on July 24, 2023, amid a months-long wave of protests against the government’s planned judicial overhaul. Israeli lawmakers on July 24 prepared for a final vote on a major component of the hard-right government’s controversial judicial reforms even as US President Joe Biden called for postponing the “divisive” bill that has triggered mass protests. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) (Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images

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The Judicial Overhaul That Has Torn Israeli Society Apart

On Monday, Israel's parliament voted into law a key measure to overhaul the country's judiciary. The measure prevents judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are "unreasonable." The law strips Israel's Supreme Court of a key check on the power of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This marks the first big move in a broader effort to weaken court oversight of senior officials. It comes after six months of protests from Israelis concerned that their government will have unchecked power. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is defending it, saying this law is the essence of democracy and will allow the elected government – his government – to carry out its agenda. We hear from concerned protestors outside Israeli parliament — many citizens are afraid that their way of life is in danger. Dahlia Scheindlin is a political analyst from Tel Aviv, she explains what this new Israeli law says about the state of democracy there. In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

Israeli security forces use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking the entrance of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem on July 24, 2023, amid a months-long wave of protests against the government’s planned judicial overhaul. Israeli lawmakers on July 24 prepared for a final vote on a major component of the hard-right government’s controversial judicial reforms even as US President Joe Biden called for postponing the “divisive” bill that has triggered mass protests. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) (Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)

HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images
 

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On Monday, Israel's parliament voted into law a key measure to overhaul the country's judiciary. The measure prevents judges from striking down government decisions on the basis that they are "unreasonable."

The law strips Israel's Supreme Court of a key check on the power of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This marks the first big move in a broader effort to weaken court oversight of senior officials. It comes after six months of protests from Israelis concerned that their government will have unchecked power. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is defending it, saying this law is the essence of democracy and will allow the elected government – his government – to carry out its agenda.

We hear from concerned protestors outside Israeli parliament — many citizens are afraid that their way of life is in danger.

Dahlia Scheindlin is a political analyst from Tel Aviv, she explains what this new Israeli law says about the state of democracy there.

In participating regions, you’ll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what’s going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

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