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Thousands of Israelis demonstrate against changes to judicial system

February 14, 2023 at 8:23 am

Israelis carry banners and flags as they gather in front of the Israeli Parliament (The Knesset) for a demonstration, in Jerusalem on December 29, 2022. [Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu Agency]

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated outside the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, yesterday to reject proposed amendments that aim to strengthen the ministers’ control over the Supreme Court, undermine the court’s powers and control the panel that selects its judges.

Demonstrators held banners with slogans against the amendments, including “Save Israel’s democracy” and “The whole world is watching,” according to the Israeli press.

The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee yesterday approved on the first reading two provisions of proposed reforms to the judiciary. The provisions aim to allow the government coalition to control the panel that selects judges by changing its composition, which would undermine the Supreme Court and limit its power to exercise judicial review in relation to Basic Laws.

Nine members of the Knesset committee supported the proposed amendments and seven opposed them.

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