Israel’s Cabinet voted to limit the Supreme Court’s ability to overturn laws approved by the Knesset.
The proposal, part of Justice Minister Daniel Friedman’s bid to reform the court and restore a balance between the executive and judicial branches of government, passed by a vote of 13-11. It now heads to the Knesset committee on Constitution, Law and Justice.
Until now, Supreme Court justices could annul any Knesset legislation that they felt violated Israel’s Basic Laws. The new legislation would allow the court only to annul laws that violate human rights, laws that contradict the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty, and Basic Law: Freedom of Occupation.
The proposal also would give the Knesset the power to rewrite a law deemed unconstitutional by the court. This would require a majority of at least 61 lawmakers’ votes, with a difference of at least five votes between those supporting and opposing a measure.
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