NewsPoliticsTop StoryWorld

Netanyahu allies plow ahead on legal overhaul

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s political allies pressed ahead Monday with their plan to overhaul the judiciary, advancing a bill that would protect the long-serving leader from calls that he be removed from office over his corruption charges. The Associated Press has the story:

Newslooks- JERUSALEM (AP)

The Israeli parliament on Monday advanced a bill that would make it harder to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the corruption charges against him, as it plowed ahead with a broader plan to overhaul the country’s legal system in defiance of mass protests.

Lawmakers in the Knesset gave preliminary approval during a late-night vote on the bill, which would allow the parliament to declare a prime minister unfit to rule only for physical or mental reasons.

The body was expected to vote later on a measure that would allow the Knesset to overrule Supreme Court rulings and enact laws that had been struck down. Both bills require additional votes before being enshrined into law.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the floor the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, as his coalition pressed ahead with a contentious plan to overhaul the country’s judicial system, in Jerusalem, Monday, March 13, 2023. Speaking to members of his Likud party on Monday, he lashed out at the Israeli media, saying they are broadcasting a “never ending tsunami of fake news” against him. He reiterated his claim that the legal overhaul will strengthen Israeli democracy. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The steps were the latest in a series of moves by Netanyahu’s coalition to overhaul Israel’s legal system. The prime minister and his allies say the effort is aimed at reining in an activist court. Critics say the drive would upend the country’s democratic checks and balances and concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his parliamentary majority.

Netanyahu and his ultranationalist and religious coalition allies have pledged to plow ahead with the legal changes despite demonstrations by tens of thousands of Israeli protesters over the past two months. Business leaders, legal experts and retired military leaders have joined the protests, and Israeli reservists have threatened to stop reporting for duty if the overhaul passes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the floor the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, as his coalition pressed ahead with a contentious plan to overhaul the country’s judicial system, in Jerusalem, Monday, March 13, 2023. Speaking to members of his Likud party on Monday, he lashed out at the Israeli media, saying they are broadcasting a “never ending tsunami of fake news” against him. He reiterated his claim that the legal overhaul will strengthen Israeli democracy. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

In a late-night vote, the Knesset moved forward a bill that would protect Netanyahu from calls to oust him, replacing current law that opens the door for a leader to be removed under other circumstances. The new bill would require approval by three-quarters of the government, and could be overridden by the prime minister.

The measure has personal importance to Netanyahu, who returned to power late last year after Israel’s fifth election in under four years. He is on trial on charges of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes, and denies the allegations. The proceedings have dragged on for nearly three years.

Good governance groups and other critics have called on the country’s attorney general to deem Netanyahu unfit for office.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, in Jerusalem, Monday, March 13, 2023. Netanyahu spoke as his coalition pressed ahead with a contentious plan to overhaul the country’s judicial system. Speaking to members of his party, he lashed out at the Israeli media, saying they are broadcasting a “never ending tsunami of fake news” against him. He reiterated his claim that the legal overhaul will strengthen Israeli democracy. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Speaking to members of his Likud party on Monday, Netanyahu lashed out at the Israeli media, saying they are broadcasting a “never ending tsunami of fake news” against him. He reiterated his claim that the legal overhaul will strengthen Israeli democracy.

Opposition lawmaker Orna Barbivai said the bill was “a disgrace, which says the the prime minister is above the law.”

Israel’s Palestinian minority, which makes up some 20% of the population, has been largely absent from the protests, in part because they suffer from discrimination in Israel and and because of Israel’s treatment of their Palestinian brethren in the West Bank and Gaza.

Read more international news

Previous Article
Sen. Mitch McConnell released from hospital
Next Article
Haley wants entitlement changes for youths

How useful was this article?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this article.

Latest News

Menu