In brief
In a bold move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has passed new legislation that grants politicians increased authority in choosing judges, reigniting tensions over the judicial overhaul that previously divided the nation before the Gaza conflict.
This Thursday, the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, voted on two laws after an intense overnight debate, despite opposition boycotting. The new regulations modify the committee responsible for selecting judges and Supreme Court justices, leading critics to warn that this will lead to a politicized judiciary. This legislative effort is part of Netanyahu’s ongoing campaign to consolidate control over the government, a plan he paused during the war to preserve national unity. Amid ongoing hostilities with Hamas, protests erupted outside the Knesset, with demonstrators waving flags and calling for a resolution to the hostage crisis in Gaza. Netanyahu, during his impassioned speech to parliament, argued that his initiatives aim to counter an “unelected deep state,” mirroring language adopted by political figures like Donald Trump. As tensions rise, the impact of these laws on Israel's legal integrity remains a heavily debated topic.
