Published: 10 May 2018
Last updated: 4 March 2024
Supreme Court president blasts ‘unprecedented assault’ on judicial branch (Times of Israel)
Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut on Monday lashed out against a bill that would limit the power of the court to strike down Knesset legislation it deems unconstitutional, calling it an “unprecedented assault” against the judicial branch and warning it would leave basic human rights unprotected.
Hayut delivered her comments during a swearing-in ceremony for new judges at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. Also in attendance were President Reuven Rivlin and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, whose Jewish Home party is the main proponent of the controversial bill.
“The judicial branch is under a brutal and unprecedented attack that poses a realistic threat to its power and independence,” Hayut said. “The significance of the legislation is simple — the elimination of the constitutional protection of human rights that is anchored in Israel by Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty and freedom to enact laws that violate those rights without the court being able to provide relief to the victims.”
Israel's finance minister stands firm against bill limiting judiciary (Al-Monitor)
Not caving in to pressure by other coalition partners, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon announced that he will fight the Override Clause, which would allow the Knesset to re-enact laws previously struck down by the Supreme Court.
Cartoon: Amos Biderman (Haaretz)
