In their detail, the judicial changes passed yesterday by Israel’s parliament sound like liberals in the US and democracy advocates around the world will support them.
Israel reduced the power of its Supreme Court judges, who can use the vague criterion of “reasonableness” to overturn policies hitherto enacted by government ministers. Going forward, democratically elected leaders will have more power and unelected judges will have less. Conceptually, the policy isn’t too different from the changes many Democrats want to enact in this country.
But the reaction from political progressives, moderates and some conservatives — in Israel and elsewhere — has been one of rather extreme caution. And that caution stems from concern among many observers that Israel is using the mechanics of democracy to turn itself into an undemocratic state.
Many observers say the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (known as Bibi) is the most right-wing in the country’s 75-year history. It would have the potential to further push Israel to become a religiously conservative country, free from judicial oversight. In the process, the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians may escalate.
In fear of Netanyahu’s critics:
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Israel could build many more settlements in the West Bank, including on privately owned Palestinian land, making long-term peace impossible.
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Ultra-Orthodox Jews who engage in religious studies may have an easier time avoiding military service, creating a two-tiered society among Israelis.
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Netanyahu may be able to appoint corrupt officials to high posts. The conflict with the Supreme Court stems in part from Netanyahu’s decision to appoint Aryeh Deri, an ally accused of accepting bribes, to become a minister.
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Netanyahu, who faces his own corruption trial, may replace the attorney general now that the Supreme Court has been defiled. Netanyahu has denied wrongdoing and said he does not plan to replace the attorney general.
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Thousands of Israeli military reservists may follow through on his threats to withdraw from training and service as it undermines national security.
Bibi’s turn
As our Jerusalem-based colleague Isabel Kershner told us: “The basic divide is between more liberal, largely secular Israelis and the religiously conservative and right-wing forces that want a pluralistic country with a tolerant and open society and that make up Bibi’s current government.”
The Supreme Court is a particularly important institution because Israel lacks a formal constitution. In other countries, a constitution may limit the power of an elected government, including attempts to rig the political system to keep leaders in power. In Israel, the court played that deterrent role.
One of the paradoxes of the judicial overhaul is that it strengthens Netanyahu’s government and is a sign of his own political weakness. He had long opposed such an overhaul, but some right-wing and religious parties supported it. But now they need those parties to stay in power — and they may need to stay in power to stay out of jail.
“He looks like a weak prime minister, led by stalwarts in his party and his coalition,” Isabelle said. A Netanyahu biographer told David Remnick of The New Yorker that mass protests and military disobedience indicate that Netanyahu has become Israel’s weakest prime minister.
Of course, the Israeli political center and left may still be weak, one reason why Netanyahu remains in power.
More from Israel
Chaotic Fun: At a monthly party in New York, guests bring a Tinder match they’ve never met. What could go wrong?
“A Younger Person’s Version of Goop”: Sporty and Rich started as an Instagram account. It will open a New York store.
Ike Factor: It tastes like any other beer, but it’s made from waste water.
Lives Lived: Reeves made high-performance automobiles for deep-pocketed customers that reached speeds of 250 miles per hour for Callaway Porsche and Ferrari. Callaway died at age 75.
Women’s World Cup
Linda Caicedo, 18, who scored the winning goal in Colombia’s 2-0 win over South Korea, is at her third World Cup in a year after playing in the under-20 and under-17 tournaments.
The Philippines won its first World Cup match with its first World Cup goal, defeating co-hosts New Zealand 1–0.
Three points for a win and one for a tie: Here’s how teams can advance to the round of 16.
Other sports news
Settling: Aaron Rodgers, the Jets quarterback, has yet to throw a pass but is soaking up the New York culture.
Another gambling penalty: Denver Broncos defensive tackle, Ioma Uwajurike, has been suspended indefinitely for betting on NFL games, joining a string of players fined this off-season for violating the league’s gambling policy.
Arts and ideas
A family of shark hunters: “The Shark is Broken,” a comedy based on the troubled production of the 1975 film “Jaws,” comes to Broadway next month. The one-act play focuses on the squabbles of the film’s stars, notably Robert Shaw, the acclaimed British actor who played shark hunter Quint. If Quint onstage appears to be a dead ringer for the original, it’s for good reason: Shaw’s son Ian plays him.
