Democracy in Peril?
Democracy in Peril?
Israel has been experiencing a major constitutional, social, and economic crisis since several judicial as well as legal reforms were introduced in the Israeli parliament (the Knesset) in early January 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government has been pushing for changes that would limit the Supreme Court’s powers to rule against the legislature and the executive, giving the Israeli parliament the power to override Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority. Another legislative initiative may take away the Supreme Court’s authority to assess the legality of Israel’s Basic Laws that function as the country’s quasi-constitution. The reforms would also modify how Supreme Court justices are selected, giving politicians decisive powers in appointing judges. All this is going on while Netanyahu himself is on trial for corruption, and these changes will likely make those charges disappear.
This special event will examine the origins and implications of these potential changes on Israel’s judicial system and constitutional structure from multiple perspectives.
Speakers:
Israel has been experiencing a major constitutional, social, and economic crisis since several judicial as well as legal reforms were introduced in the Israeli parliament (the Knesset) in early January 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government has been pushing for changes that would limit the Supreme Court’s powers to rule against the legislature and the executive, giving the Israeli parliament the power to override Supreme Court decisions with a simple majority. Another legislative initiative may take away the Supreme Court’s authority to assess the legality of Israel’s Basic Laws that function as the country’s quasi-constitution. The reforms would also modify how Supreme Court justices are selected, giving politicians decisive powers in appointing judges. All this is going on while Netanyahu himself is on trial for corruption, and these changes will likely make those charges disappear.
This special event will examine the origins and implications of these potential changes on Israel’s judicial system and constitutional structure from multiple perspectives.
Speakers: