Overview

• Justice Minister Yariv Levin has agreed to convene the Judicial Selection Committee after months of refusal, as part of the government’s judicial overhaul agenda.
• Levin's decision to convene the committee is aimed at avoiding conflict during a time of war, and he plans to propose new judges about whom there is broad consensus.
• Levin had been refusing to convene the committee due to his desire to give the government control over judicial appointments, a stance which prompted petitions to the High Court.
• There have been over 20 unfilled positions on courts around the country, and this would rise to 53 by the end of the year if no actions are taken.
• The decision to convene the committee has been met with skepticism by some entities, who believe it could be a tactic to delay the hearing on petitions against Levin's previous refusal, but has received approval from others like National Unity leader Benny Gantz and Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, who see it as a necessary move in difficult times.