In Israel, the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of a highly contested justice reform carried out by Benjamin Netanyahu.

Fifteen judges of the Israeli Supreme Court rejected 1 on Monday^{There is} January is a key part of Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial judicial reform. The prime minister's plan to begin in 2023 has deeply divided Israeli society. There have been many demonstrations.

In a ruling issued Monday, the court voted 8-7 in favor of reversal. The Supreme Court heard appeals filed against the first clause of the reform bill passed by Parliament at the end of July. The move is precisely aimed at preventing Supreme Court judges from overturning government decisions on their own merits. “unfair”She has done it many times before.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin accused the court “Take All Powers”After his decision. “Actually, judges [de la Cour suprême] By this decision, take into their own hands all the powers which, in a democratic government, are equally distributed among the three powers.Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, wrote the Minister on that day telegram. He also criticized the publication of the verdict “In the midst of battle [dans la bande de Gaza]It is the opposite of the unity that is needed these days for the success of our fighters at the front..

Mr. Netanyahu's party, the Likud, criticized the timing of the decision, which was confirmed “It is sad that the Supreme Court has decided to issue its ruling at the center of a social debate in Israel, when right-wing and left-wing fighters are risking their lives fighting in the countryside.”. “The judgment of the court is contrary to the will of the people for unity, especially in times of war”Party added.

Resistance movement

Since its announcement in early January 2023, the plan of government has been one of the largest protest movements Israel has experienced since its creation in 1948.

According to the government, the reform was aimed at realigning the powers of the Supreme Court by curtailing its prerogatives in favor of Parliament. Opponents of the reform, for their part, fear that the proposed changes will move Israeli democracy toward a more liberal system by removing safeguards against the exercise of legislative and executive power.

Mr. Netanyahu, who is on trial in several corruption and anti-trust cases, accuses the reform of trying to escape his legal troubles. The Prime Minister is yet to respond to the decision.

Israel does not have a constitution or an upper house of parliament that is equivalent to doctrine and doctrine “fairness” It was specifically used to allow judges to decide whether a government was violating its prerogatives.

The Supreme Court also ruled that it has the power to invalidate a fundamental law “In rare and exceptional cases where Parliament exceeds its authority”. The Basic Laws serve as the constitution in Israel.