Israel Approves Controversial Judicial Reform Expanding Political Control Over Judge Appointments

The law, passed by the Knesset, shifts the balance of judicial appointments to politicians, reigniting protests and legal challenges over concerns about democratic erosion.

• Israel's parliament passed a law granting politicians greater control over judicial appointments, marking a key step in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan.
• The legislation changes the Judicial Selection Committee's composition, giving politicians six out of nine seats and reducing the influence of judges and legal experts.
• Opposition leaders boycotted the vote, immediately filing a Supreme Court petition to challenge the law, which is set to take effect in the next legislative term.
• Mass protests have reignited across Israel, with critics warning the reforms undermine judicial independence and deepen societal divisions during the ongoing Gaza conflict.
• Netanyahu's government defends the reforms as a necessary rebalancing of power, while critics view them as a move to consolidate power and weaken democratic checks and balances.

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