Voice of America
03 Feb 2023, 06:06 GMT+10
Israel's top legal official is warning Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stay out of his cabinet's push to overhaul the judicial system, a plan that critics say could give the government 'unlimited power.'
Adding to tensions over the controversial proposal, Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said in a letter to Netanyahu made public Thursday that he "must avoid as part of your role as prime minister involvement in initiatives related to the legal system."
Netanyahu has been the subject of a corruption trial involving allegations of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes, all of which he denies.
The proposed overhaul to the country's judicial system, which has been in the works for years, would allow a simple majority of the country's 120-seat parliament to overturn Supreme Court decisions deemed unconstitutional, meaning less oversight of policymaking by lawmakers.
Netanyahu's new far-right government has made changing the legal system a centerpiece of its legislative agenda. Supporters have charged ahead with steps to weaken the Supreme Court despite mounting public criticism that culminated in a Tel Aviv rally on Saturday that drew thousands.
Detractors say that the plan erodes Israel's system of checks and balances, and removes power from the Supreme Court, the ultimate protector of minority rights. If implemented, they say, the plan would undermine democracy, cultivate corruption and hurt the economy.
Netanyahu earlier this week denied that his involvement in the effort poses a conflict of interest, telling CNN "none of the reforms that we're talking about ... have anything to do with my trial."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, telling him that he should foster a consensus for change and focus on supporting "core democratic principles."
Baharav-Miara's statement is expected to cause a further rift in the Israeli government as tensions rise between Netanyahu's far-right government and its opponents.
Some information from this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Get a daily dose of Israel Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Israel Herald.
More InformationTASHKENT, Uzbekistan: Uzbek authorities said a powerful explosion on September 28 at a warehouse near Tashkent's airport killed one person ...
TALLAHASSEE, Florida: The Florida Lottery said this week that the second-largest lottery winner in U.S. history has come forward to ...
LONDON, UK: This week, the Global Financial Centers index showed that New York remains the world's leading financial center, with ...
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: In a significant milestone for its defense capabilities, Taiwan has unveiled its first domestically developed submarine. Although it ...
HONIARA, Solomon Islands: Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare revealed that he opted out of a Pacific Islands leaders' summit at the ...
SACRAMENTO, California: Intending to raise some US$160 million per year to help prevent gun violence, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed ...
STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Swedish lithium-ion battery producer Northvolt announced this week that it would build a $5.2 billion gigafactory in the ...
SACRAMENTO, California: Fast food workers will now receive $20 per hour in California, after the governor signed a fast food ...
BEIJING, China: In a deal worth US$10 billion at list prices this week, state-owned carrier China Eastern Airlines announced that ...
BEIJING, China: This week, China Evergrande Group said its founder and chairman, Hui Ka Yan, is being investigated over suspected ...
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, California: In his opening statement this week in the first U.S. trial over allegations that a car autopilot ...
SEATTLE, Washington: As part of Washington's efforts to stop Big Tech from monopolizing the most lucrative parts of the internet, ...