Netanyahu Prepares To Unilaterally Advance Parts Of Judicial Overhaul Plan, Drops Others

Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu informed his ministers that "everyone understands that the previous law regarding the Judicial Selection Committee will not be advanced." This came after he vowed to unilaterally advance parts of the judicial overhaul plan as the opposition froze negotiations brokered by President Isaac Herzog.

• According to a Times of Israel report, "the premier told ministers that he would soon advance another two bills of the overhaul package instead: one limiting the ability of the judiciary to review government decisions and appointments through what is known as the reasonableness test, and another limiting the authority and standing of government legal advisers, who frequently trigger right-wing ire by blocking radical ministerial policy initiatives."
• Heads of parties forming Netanyahu's fractured coalition are expected to meet today to decide on the way forward. If the reports were true, Netanyahu might press ahead with parts of the judicial overhaul plan. Although it represents a moderation of his original ambitions, the move would derail negotiations with the opposition, raising the risk of renewed social unrest while external security risks are becoming more pronounced.