Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to commit to abiding by a potential Supreme Court ruling against his controversial judicial reform law. This development has created tension in Israel, as the government and the court head towards a showdown, CNN reports.
Netanyahu compared the situation to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling a constitutional amendment as unconstitutional, warning of uncharted territory and expressing hope to avoid such a scenario. The law, which aims to limit the power of Israel's Supreme Court, is an amendment to one of Israel's Basic Laws. Despite six months of protests and rare criticism from the White House, the law was passed in the Knesset on Monday. The Supreme Court is set to hear appeals against the law in September.
When asked about potential consequences from the United States for passing the bill, Netanyahu emphasized the strength of relations between the Biden White House and his government, despite ideological differences. He pointed to the internal U.S. debate over the powers of the Supreme Court as a parallel example.
The new law curtails the Supreme Court's ability to reject government decisions based on the "reasonableness" standard. Supporters argue it is necessary to rebalance powers between the judiciary, lawmakers, and the government. However, opponents view the Supreme Court as a vital check on government and Knesset power and fear that the reforms will erode Israeli democracy, potentially granting the government unchecked authority. Critics also accuse Netanyahu of pursuing the overhaul to shield himself from corruption charges, which he denies.
Despite acknowledging the controversy and concerns surrounding the law, Netanyahu stated that Israel will remain a democracy and emphasized the need for an independent court, not an all-powerful one.
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