# Israeli Parliament Passes Law Limiting the Power of the Judiciary {struck down 1 Jan 2024} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 24, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472 "2023-07-24T14:37:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/1 "2023-07-24T14:37:40Z")
The coverage I’m seeing in the various loony left news sources I get is that the far right government of Israel has passed a limiting what the Israeli Supreme Court can rule on. This seems like a terrible, anti-democratic idea. Are my sources lying to me, or is this as bad as it seems? Can the SCOI (Supreme Court of Israel?) find that law unconstitutional, or is this the final word? What’s Parliament’s justification for reducing the power of the judiciary? @Alessan, because you’re in the middle of it all. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/2 "2023-07-24T16:55:32Z")
I’m bumping this for you, but also because I’d like more input on this. From what I’ve seen/researched my self so far this year the current administration in Israel is leaning _hard_ to the right with some very bad stuff going on from my point of view. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/3 "2023-07-24T17:05:59Z")
They are “discussing” a general strike, whatever that really means. > **[Israel's main union to discuss declaring general strike](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-main-union-discuss-declaring-general-strike-2023-07-24/)** > > The head of Israel's main public sector union said on Monday he would meet with other union officials to discuss the possibility of declaring a general strike after parliament ratified a key element in a controversial judicial overhaul plan. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/4 "2023-07-24T17:31:25Z")
There were apparently huge demonstrations against this proposal. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/5 "2023-07-24T17:38:07Z")
We had a thread about this in the spring: > [@Israeli Protests and Potential Crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-protests-and-potential-crisis/981337): > > I don’t think we have a thread on this, but I feel like it’s a major issue. Unless I’m just being sucked in by sensationalist reporting? So it seems that the current Netanyahu government doesn’t like the fact that the Israeli supreme court can invalidate ruling government’s laws, but due to the lack of a constitution that would really define the separation of powers, they want to pass a law that would neuter the court. ? I readily admit I might be misunderstanding here, and that’s part of the r… I’ve been watching as well, and to me it’s yet another example of how the world is taking a really odd reactionary turn. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/6 "2023-07-24T17:58:41Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > world is taking a really odd reactionary turn. It really is! I think in Israel, the demographics are very different than the US. Here in the US, I think the ultra conservative base is aging and shrinking, but in Israel, the ultra conservatives (political and religious) are younger and growing. I’m happy to be corrected on that point. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/7 "2023-07-24T18:10:39Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > There were apparently huge demonstrations against this proposal. A couple of hundred thousand here and there, roadblocks, marches, camps, etc., but I feel like none of that is really news— already discussed in the previous thread. At least, I may be wrong, but this does not seem like Paris 1968 type of disruption. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/8 "2023-07-24T20:31:22Z")
Israel’s President wants to rule like the late Chavez in Venezuela did or Erdogan in Turkiye is. Or Orban in Hungary. Nothing more to it. To succeed as a dictator you need to either suborn or neuter the national courts. Bibi failed at Door #1, so has moved on to Door #2. Trump via McCarthy and the Federalist society has _probably_ already succeeded at Door #1 in the USA. His dictatorship begins the day he’s inaugurated. If that happens. Not I said “inaugurated”, not “won the election”. With enough court & legislative connivance it is quite possible to lose the election and still be inaugurated. Israel is being forced by a psycho down a very dangerous path. We are about 2 years behind them. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/9 "2023-07-24T21:42:17Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > With enough court & legislative connivance it is quite possible to lose the election and still be inaugurated. It’s a good thing Trump hasn’t had the courts on his side, and he only has some of the legislature. What’s happening in Israel I hope to never see in the US. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/10 "2023-07-24T22:03:11Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Israel’s President wants to rule like the late Chavez in Venezuela did or Erdogan in Turkiye is. Or Orban in Hungary. Nothing more to it. Netanyahu’s the prime minister. Israel has a president but the role is largely ceremonial. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/11 "2023-07-24T22:08:56Z")
D’oh! :smack: Quite right. Prime Minister Netanyahu is the problem child in Israel right now. The President is not. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/12 "2023-07-24T22:22:52Z")
Yep. And he had a light heart attack yesterday, got a pace maker implanted in an emergency operation. Seems like a hint from above, if you believe in these kind of signals. He did not heed it, nor did his followers in the Knesset. Had this new law not been adopted, Netanyahu would face prison for corruption. With the new law, he can avoid that: just change the law in such a way that his corruption is no longer punible with prison (his plan, explicitly), the Constitutional Court cannot object to the law, he is fine. Yes, looks like a perfect blueprint for other dictators too. Does any other country, apart from perhaps Hungary and Türkiye (and RuZZia, and Bielorussia, and El Salvador too, come to think of it, to keep good company), face an organised attack by reactionary forces or just plain fascists on judiciary independence? That country might be in trouble down the road. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/13 "2023-07-24T22:50:36Z")
As I said upthread, this is _the_ bog standard play for how to take over a recently democratic country without the need of a plebiscite for dictatorship nor for a revolution, coup, violence, etc. very quiet and peaceful-like. Just quietly suborn the executive, starting with the election officials and law enforcement, then suborn the judiciary. Now the country is the personal property of the Head Honcho. With luck the opposition is disorganized enough to let it happen and the public is oblivious before then quickly cowed after. With no small number of the idiot public enthusiastically cheering the new dictator as their Beloved Leader. Then the elite looting of the State begins. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2023, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/14 "2023-07-24T23:05:44Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > What’s happening in Israel I hope to never see in the US. You can bet Trump and his cronies are watching this with great interest. It’s a get out of jail free card. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/15 "2023-07-25T01:20:03Z")
A lot of Israeli businesses are saying they will strike Monday. > **[BIG Centers, malls among Israeli firms striking over judicial reform](https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-752161)** > > As Israel’s top 150 companies join Monday’s massive nationwide protest against judicial reform legislation, tensions are rising in anticipation of the move’s economic impact. IDK if they can actually blink last against Netanyahu but they’re at least posturing that they’re serious about a general strike. And it seems like some reservists are still saying they won’t report in response to the power grab. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/16 "2023-07-25T01:37:12Z")
That slimy motherfucker. > [@RitterSport](#): > > the ultra conservatives (political and religious) are younger and growing Those dumb bastards are gonna drag us back to the bronze age. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/17 "2023-07-25T03:32:49Z")
Religious groups are in favour of reducing the power of the Supreme Court by saying they cannot use “reasonableness” as an argument against government decisions. This gives the government more power to make unpopular decisions. I tend to dislike anything which reduces democracy. In particular, the States have criticized these changes and had asked for delay. The fact this did not happen may signify weak leadership. But perhaps part of the motive is due to suggestions of corruption against certain executive members. Also, Israel accounts for one-fifth of some industries like cybersecurity and has a lot of computer expertise. These employ many people and contribute significant taxes. Upsetting the balance of judicial and legislative powers makes doing business more volatile and risky. It may have a significant economic costs and has upset some who serve in the military. The potential gains from this law might appeal to hardliners but on the whole it seems to me a backward step. Still, it is not my decision, my circus nor my monkeys. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/18 "2023-07-25T03:43:12Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Then the elite looting of the State begins. > [@DeadTreasSecretaries](#): > > A lot of Israeli businesses are saying they will strike Monday. > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Also, Israel accounts for one-fifth of some industries like cybersecurity and has a lot of computer expertise. These employ many people and contribute significant taxes. Upsetting the balance of judicial and legislative powers makes doing business more volatile and risky. It looks like many businesses are working to move their money away from Israel. This cannot be good for their economy: > **[Almost 70% of Israeli startups act to shift funds, relocate due to judicial...](https://www.timesofisrael.com/almost-70-of-israeli-startups-act-to-shift-funds-relocate-due-to-judicial-shakeup/)** > > Steps by startup heads and investors to withdraw cash reserves and move operations outside Israel have accelerated in past 3 months, according to a poll by Start-Up Nation Central ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/19 "2023-07-25T10:15:17Z")
Bad cronyist klepto politics is bad for business. e.g. Latin American and Africa remain poor, as well as Southern Europe is generally poorer then Northern Europe, and with pockets of especial poverty within that. Much of that is due to bad crony / klepto / authoritarian government. Not much point in building a business if the moment you get big enough to be noticed some dudes with guns take it from you. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2023, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472/20 "2023-07-25T13:18:21Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Also, Israel accounts for one-fifth of some industries like cybersecurity and has a lot of computer expertise. These employ many people and contribute significant taxes. Upsetting the balance of judicial and legislative powers makes doing business more volatile and risky. It may have a significant economic costs and has upset some who serve in the military. The potential gains from this law might appeal to hardliners but on the whole it seems to me a backward step. Still, it is not my decision, my circus nor my monkeys. Yes, Netanyahu is going to destroy everything that makes Israel a prosperous and successful nation. You know, as shitty as the ultra religious people are, you almost can’t blame them for sending the country down the shitter. It’s in their nature, like the scorpion who stings the frog who’s carrying him across the pond. These people live their own lives like it’s 1000 BC; of course they’re going to drag the government back to the bronze age too. It’s the rest of Bibi’s supporters who disgust me. Simple minded fools who are so scared of Arabs that they’ve just surrendered everything that makes Israel worthwhile to a known criminal just because he promised he’d protect them. The cowardice of the Right never ceases to amaze. I can only hope that the Israeli people who actually contribute to the economy (so, absolutely none of these religious fanatics, who get military service exemptions and government funding to sit around and argue over bible vevrses) show their immense displeasure swiftly and with a vengence. Let these cowards burn something they care about, like the economy, if they want to take power. Clearly they didn’t care about burning down the rule of law, but maybe when the financial system starts to crash, they’ll pull their heads out of their asses. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-parliament-passes-law-limiting-the-power-of-the-judiciary-struck-down-1-jan-2024/987472.md?page=2)