Middle East & Africa | Politicians v judges

Israel’s government is again trying to hobble its Supreme Court

While at war, Israel is facing a constitutional crisis

An Israeli police officer stands on guard next to a protest sign showing Israeli minister of Justice Yariv Levin.
Photograph: Eyal Warshavsky/SOPA/Zuma Press/Eyevine
|JERUSALEM

For nearly a year Israel’s Supreme Court has been without a president, as the country’s right-wing government has tussled with the judiciary over the court’s powers. As soon as it was elected at the end of 2022, the government of Binyamin Netanyahu presented plans for “judicial reforms” which would limit the powers of the Supreme Court and give politicians control of the appointment of judges. The proposals prompted huge protests and were abandoned when the war in Gaza began. But they are back on the agenda.

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This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “Politicians v judges 2.0”

From the September 21st 2024 edition

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