Israel Faces Backlash Over ‘Reasonableness Clause’ Limiting Supreme Court’s Oversight

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes part in the voting to approve a controversial bill as part of the governments judicial overhaul plan in Jerusalem on July 24, 2023. The judicial overhaul plan has divided Israel, facing unprecedented opposition from across society, including the military and the business sector.NOAM MOSKOWITZ- KNESSET-HANDOUT/ANADOLU AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES.

In The Times of Israel Report, “Reasonableness” is a judicial test that is meant to provide oversight over public officials’ decisions by balancing political interests against professional considerations. For example, when evaluating a decision for its reasonableness, the court would examine whether relevant professional opinions were solicited, rather than just political voices, ahead of the decree.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who is considered the ideological driver of the coalition’s broad judicial vision, confirmed that Monday’s law was only the “first step in a historic process to correct the judicial system, according to The times of Israel. 

In her news analysis this week, Caroline Glick goes through the uproar over the Knesset’s legislation of constraints on the Supreme Court’s power to overturn policies based on the “reasonableness clause.”

Caroline explains what the reasonable clause is, how it was invented, what the amended law will and won’t do, and what it means for the Netanyahu government going forward. She also describes the law’s effect on the leftist insurrectionists in the streets, on the Supreme Court and on the attorney general.

Caroline Glick explains what this clause is and why everyone is so angry about its overturn. In her news analysis this week, she goes through the uproar over the Knesset’s legislation of constraints on the Supreme Court’s power to overturn policies based on the “reasonableness clause.”JNS.

If you want to cut through the media hype and understand exactly what is going on in Israel’s fight over judicial reform, do not miss this show.

Reasonableness is the ‘first step’ in the coalition’s campaign to constrain judicial power, and perhaps its mildest; markets, international allies express discomfort

This is a complete breaking of the rules of the game,” said Lapid, minutes after the law banning judicial review over the “reasonableness” of cabinet and ministerial decisions passed. “The government and coalition can choose what direction the state goes in, but it can’t decide the character of the state, said the Times of Israel.

The White House expressed over the Netanyahu-led coalition’s decision to make a change to the system of governance without broad consensus, following several public calls from US President Joe Biden to slow the legislative process and expressions of concern about Israel’s democratic foundations.

Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate

Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager