ISRAEL’s parliament, known as the Knesset, passed the first bill of a controversial measure that has entangled the nation in a series of mass protests for more than half a year.
The bill is a key part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul plan which divided Israel’s economy, military and foreign relations.
The controversial bill has been boycotted by the opposition and opposed by some of Israel’s closest allies such as the Biden administration.
Protesters allege that the measure will significantly limit the Supreme Court’s ability to review government decisions.
Israel’s Supreme Court is set to review the legal challenges surrounding the divisive new law that is said to weaken its power and put the country’s top justices in the position of defending their own independence.
The plan was first launched in January or less than a week after Netanyahu’s coalition was sworn into power while the Knesset passed it on July 24.
But even if the court strikes down the law and give in to public pressure, the Netanyahu government could still ignore the ruling, setting the stage for a looming crisis amidst the ongoing struggle for power.
