Panel approves bill to end judicial review of ‘reasonableness’ for first Knesset plenary vote
A controversial bill to shield elected officials from judicial review of the “reasonableness” of their decisions may go to its first Knesset vote as early as Monday, after the parliamentary committee preparing the bill approved it for the plenary session, pending objections.
The Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approves the bill after five debates held over the past nine days and criticism from experts and the opposition.
A shouting match preceded the vote, with opposition lawmakers shouting “it’s an illegal vote” and “this is how a dictator behaves” at the committee chairman’s calls to order.
A shouting match in the Constitution Committee: Rothman began by voting for the reduction of the reasonableness ratio and caused outrage among the members of the opposition. 5 MK were issued@yaara_shapira pic.twitter.com/tJI0DTddlZ
— here news (@kann_news) July 4, 2023
The latest step in the coalition’s planned overhaul of the judiciary, the bill will completely block judicial review or discussion of the “reasonableness” of decisions and appointments made by the cabinet, individual ministers and “other elected officials, as established by law.” The Prosecutor’s Office has warned that a “black hole” is opening for transparency.
Committee chairman Simcha Rothman said yesterday that the bill would only apply to the government and ministers, although he said he did not plan to close the door on expanding its scope. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier this week ordered Rothman and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the two proponents of judicial reform in the coalition, to remove mayors from the scope of the bill.
