Israel's Highest Court to Hear Petitions Challenging Law Weakening Judiciary: Threat to Democracy Sparks Protests

Israel's highest court has announced that it will hear petitions in September challenging a recent law that weakens its power, which was passed by the country's parliament earlier this week.

The law is part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to overhaul Israel's judiciary, which has sparked widespread unrest and protests. Critics argue that the law is a blow to democracy, as it limits the judiciary's ability to check the powers of the parliament and prime minister.

Supporters, however, contend that it will prevent unelected liberal judges from interfering with the decisions of elected lawmakers. The Supreme Court will hear the challenges to the law after the parliament returns from recess in September.

The law in question specifically takes away the Supreme Court's ability to block government actions and appointments on the basis of unreasonableness. It has caused a deep divide in Israeli society and has led to protests and concerns about the health of Israel's democracy.

The law has also had a negative impact on Prime Minister Netanyahu's popularity, as his governing coalition's seats in the parliament would potentially decrease if an election were held now. The judicial overhaul has also drawn international attention and concern. The United States and European Union have expressed worries that the changes could undermine democratic principles and the independence of the courts.

They have called for a compromise and urged the Israeli government to preserve the core values on which their partnerships are based. The Supreme Court's decision to hear the legal challenges sets the stage for a potential showdown over the balance of power in Israel's government.

If the court strikes down the law, there is concern that the government could ignore the ruling, leading to a crisis over ultimate authority. The opposition and civil society groups are committed to defending Israeli democracy and stopping what they see as a coup against the judiciary.

In addition to the political crisis, the situation in Israel has also resulted in violence between Israelis and Palestinians and rising friction with Hezbollah, backed by Iran. The crisis has raised concerns about the distraction from security issues and the readiness of the Israeli military if reservists continue to abstain from duty.

Overall, the legal challenges to the law and the deep divisions within Israeli society are creating a significant and ongoing domestic crisis. The outcome of these challenges and the government's response will have a lasting impact on Israel's democracy and its relationships with international allies.