Israel’s Netanyahu Offers Concession in Judicial Overhaul Plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a concession in his government’s plan to overhaul the country’s judicial system. The move followed mass street protests, international criticism, and a direct appeal from U.S. President Joe Biden. Around half a million Israelis have taken part in protests over the past two months, arguing the changes would give the parliament too much power over the courts. Netanyahu’s new concession would retain less of his original proposal’s system regarding the selection of new judges. However, other parts of the bill still set for ratification in the coming weeks are still causing concern. 

The proposed changes would allow Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, to overturn Supreme Court decisions with a simple voting majority. Supporters say the reforms are necessary to address perceived bias in favor of Israel’s leftist elites, while critics argue they would weaken the judiciary’s ability to act as a check and balance on other branches of government. Netanyahu, who was sworn in for a sixth term in January, leads a hard-right Cabinet committed to expanding settlements in the West Bank and promoting a raft of partisan priorities.

Opposition leaders have dismissed Netanyahu’s latest concession as inadequate and have promised to continue fighting his proposals.

In a statement, the governing coalition called on opponents to use the month-long recess to negotiate over the bill’s contents. Last weekend, Biden phoned Netanyahu to express “concern” about the plan. The White House said Biden underscored his belief in “genuine checks and balances” and that “fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support.”