Israel's Supreme Court strikes down controversial law rolling back judicial powers
Eight of the 15 judges voted to strike down the law, which sparked widespread protests when it was first passed in July - months before the war in Gaza.
Tuesday 2 January 2024 08:24, UK
Israel's Supreme Court has struck down a controversial law passed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government that rolled back some of the high court's power and sparked nationwide protests.
The new legislation had removed one of the methods by which the Supreme Court can quash government and ministers' decisions.
The law would have stripped the court of its ability to void such decisions that it deemed "unreasonable".
Opponents had argued that the legislation may open the door to corruption and improper appointments of unqualified allies to important positions.
Eight of 15 justices ruled in favour of nullifying the law, the court said in a statement, and added that they ruled to strike down the law because it would severely damage Israel's democracy.
The proposed legislation, passed in July, was part of a broader judicial overhaul proposed by Mr Netanyahu and his coalition of religious and nationalist partners which caused a deep rift in Israel and concern over the country's democratic principles among Western allies.
Those divisions were largely put aside while the country focuses on the war in Gaza but today's court decision could reignite those tensions, which sparked months of mass protests against the government and had rattled the cohesion of the powerful military.
Netanyahu's Likud party said the decision was unfortunate and that it opposed "the will of the people for unity, especially during wartime". Opposition lawmakers praised the ruling.
Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday morning, Mark Regev, an adviser to Mr Netanyahu, said the prime minister recognises there are "differences of opinion" over the decision but that now is not the time to focus on the matter.
When asked if the Israeli leader would abide by the Supreme Court's ruling, Mr Regev said: "We're now focusing on winning this war. It's not on the agenda of the government."
It comes as Israel pulled five brigades, amounting to several thousand troops, from Gaza in the first significant drawdown of soldiers since 7 October.
What will the Supreme Court's decision mean for Israel now?
Even before the attacks on 7 October, which could yet redefine the shape and balance of the Middle East, 2023 was already one of the most consequential in Israel's 75-year history.
Benjamin Netanyahu, beholden to far-right elements in his coalition and running from court cases lingering over him, had begun pushing through major controversial reforms to the country's judiciary with the aim of rebalancing legislative power in favour of the government.
Then 7 October happened - what does the Supreme Court's decision mean for Israel now?