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Abilene reflector chronicle front page12/13/2023 ![]() ![]() Opponents say it will undermine Israeli democracy and erode the country’s only check on majority rule in a system where the prime minister governs through a coalition in parliament - in effect giving him control over the executive and legislative branches of government.Īs a result, the Supreme Court plays a critical oversight role. Supporters of the judicial overhaul say the powers of unelected judges should be curbed to boost the powers of elected officials. The justices were expected to land home on Tuesday night, a day earlier than expected, to discuss petitions against the overhaul.īut any move by the court to strike down Netanyahu’s new law could lead to a constitutional crisis and put the justices on an unprecedented collision course with the government. The chief justice of the Supreme Court, Esther Hayut, along with five other senior justices, cut short a trip to Germany in order to deal with the crisis, the court said. Israel’s largest labor union, the Histadrut, which represents some 800,000 workers, said Tuesday that it would convene in the coming days to plan a nationwide general strike. “This overhaul will damage the public health and the health care system in Israel,” Levine said, adding that already over 1,000 physician members have asked to be transferred abroad since the law passed. He was referring to the law passed Monday, which prevents the Supreme Court from using the standard of “reasonableness” to strike down government decisions. “The vast majority of physicians know they will not be able to fulfill their oath to patients under a regime that does not accept the role of reason,” said Hagai Levine, chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health. The Israeli Medical Association, which represents nearly all of the country’s doctors, said they would strike en masse Tuesday across the country, with only emergencies and critical care in operation. The vote on the law came just hours after Netanyahu was released from the hospital, where he had a pacemaker implanted, adding another dizzying twist to an already dramatic series of events. “I think this country is going to either split into two countries or be finished altogether,” said Yossi Nissimov, a protester in a tent city set up by demonstrators outside of the Knesset, or parliament, in Jerusalem. The overhaul also threatens to strain ties with the Biden administration, jeopardize Israel’s new alliances with Arab states and deepen the conflict with the Palestinians, analysts say. Netanyahu said the credit rating company’s assessment was “a momentary response, when the dust clears, it will be clear that the Israeli economy is very strong.” On Tuesday, Moody’s issued a report warning of “significant risk” if divisions within the country continue as Netanyahu’s government presses ahead with the overhaul, “with negative consequences for Israel’s economy and security situation.” High-tech business leaders are considering relocation. Thousands of officers in the military reserves have announced they will no longer turn up for voluntary service - a blow that could undermine the country’s operational readiness. Israel is now hurtling into uncharted territory against the specter of further social and political unrest. ![]()
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