Israel’s TEL AVIV (AP) — Supporters of the government’s proposed legal makeover in Israel argue that limiting the authority of judges and courts is advantageous for the nation.
But, as their opponents frequently point out, there may be other forces at work: Several of the prominent politicians calling for these changes either have legal issues or think the courts are getting in the way of their ideological ambitions.
The change, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s friends, will control an unelected judiciary. Opponents fear that it will destroy Israel’s system of checks and balances, give the prime minister excessive authority, and lead to authoritarianism in the nation.
In a string of scandals involving powerful colleagues and media moguls, Netanyahu is accused of receiving bribes and is facing charges of fraud, breach of trust, and corruption.
He was originally seen as a supporter of the legal system, but ever since he was charged, he has criticized the system for what he claims is a witch hunt against him.
Netanyahu’s critics assert that he is looking for a way out of his prosecution. The reform would include a provision allowing the government to choose judges. If it is approved, Netanyahu may appoint favorable justices to determine his fate through the government. Netanyahu disputes that the revisions are related to his trial.
A Netanyahu ally in his coalition government is also burdened by criminal charges. Aryeh Deri was convicted and put on probation last year in a plea bargain for tax offenses. He also sat in prison for 22 months in the early 2000s for bribery, fraud and breach of trust for crimes committed while he was interior minister in the 1990s.
Deri was at the fulcrum of the country’s battle over the power of the courts earlier this year when Netanyahu was forced to fire him after the Supreme Court determined that it wasn’t reasonable for the repeat offender to serve as a Cabinet minister.
After the setback, the coalition doubled down on legislating Deri back into the government. In the meantime, he remains a force in parliament.
