During an interview on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defends his newly-passed judicial reform bill by downplaying the law's effects and saying that Western concerns regarding his country's democracy are "silly."
The controversial leader also said the legislative package was simply a "minor correction" of the judicial powers. He added that they must bring back Israeli democracy in line with what is common to all democracies.
Israel's Judicial Reform Law
Netanyahu claims that the essence of democracy is balancing the will of the majority and the rights of the minority. He notes that the three branches of government can achieve such a thing.
In his statement, the Israeli prime minister said it had been taken off the rails in Israel for the past two decades. He argued that this was because of the most activist judicial court on the planet, as per the Times of Israel.
Netanyahu also told George Stephanopoulos that the new judicial reform law is not the end of democracy within Israel, noting that when the "dust settles," critics of the bill will finally see it. The new so-called "reasonableness" law was passed on Monday and prevents judicial oversight of government and ministerial decisions on the grounds of reasonableness.
However, critics of the Israeli government have argued that the bill only works to open the doors to corruption and improper appointments of unqualified cronies to important positions. The new law was the first part in a larger package of bills that critics argue will fundamentally change the country's democratic system by removing the judiciary's ability to act as a check on the governing coalition.
In the interview, Netanyahu added that if the situation were the same for the Supreme Court in the United States, where it would be able to block any decisions based on being unreasonable, it would not be accepted.
Controversial New Measure
The new law's passage also sparked nationwide protests, including demonstrations in the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Those who oppose the new law say that it pushes away Israel from democratic ideals, while supporters say that it gives back some power from unelected judges, according to ABC News.
Netanyahu said that his administration made the bill to try and bring the "pendulum to the middle" regarding politics. The country's closest allies have also taken notice of the new bill, including the US, which on Monday called the enactment of the law "unfortunate."
On the other hand, the European Union said it was closely following the developments in Israel with concern. But Netanyahu, during the interview, said that his country's relationship with the United States is "as strong as it's ever been."
In a Facebook post, Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged protesters to preserve the dispute's boundaries and avoid violence and irreversible measures. Additionally, political watchdog groups have appealed to the Supreme Court to quash the new law as a legal tussle is set to begin next Thursday, said Reuters.
