Israel’s Supreme Court Pushes Back Netanyahu’s Judicial Reform

Netanyahu and his coalition announced their sweeping overhaul plan shortly after taking office a year ago.

President of the Supreme Court of Israel Esther Hayut and all fifteen justices assemble to hear petitions against the reasonableness standard law in the High Court in Jerusalem on Sept. 12, 2023. Debbie Hill/Pool via Reuters

Israel’s Supreme Court affirmed its authority on Monday to overturn government decisions and so-called “Basic Laws,” major pieces of legislation that serve as a sort of constitution for Israel.

In an 8–7 majority decision, the 15-member panel voted to overturn a law passed in July that prevents judges from overturning government decisions. The court said laws backed by the government are “unreasonable” and will bring “severe and unprecedented harm to the core characteristics of Israel as a democratic state.”