Israel's parliament advances contested law for judicial overhaul

Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset, passed two Bills that seek to overhaul Israel’s judiciary after garnering a majority of 63 to 47 votes in a 120-member Parliament. The Bills, proposed by the ruling coalition, increase government control over judicial appointments and block courts from reviewing Basic Laws. 

The Bills were passed in the first out of three readings, amidst mass



protests which witnessed thousands of Israelis, gathered in the streets, blocking highways to the capital of Jerusalem.

Both “judicial reform” Bills will now return to the Knesset’s Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee for discussion and will be followed by second and third readings, which must be cleared to ultimately pass the laws.