Israeli lawmakers have taken a first step toward approving a controversial plan that would hand the government more power over the country’s top court, a move that’s sparked waves of protest.
In a first-round vote early Tuesday, members of parliament voted in favor of a proposal put forward by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new ruling coalition to reform the judiciary. It will still need to pass through two more votes before becoming final.
“Last night’s vote has unfortunately set the course for a complete overhaul of Israel’s judicial system and the concentration of all political power in the hands of our executive branch,” said Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute.
