Demonstrators, Israeli opposition parties and close allies have said they fear the new legislation is merely the first step on a slippery slope away from democracy in Israel.
In an interview with CNN in early July, Biden criticized the presence of far-right politicians in Netanyahu’s Cabinet, calling them some of “the most extremist members” he had ever seen.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was convicted in 2007 of inciting racism and supporting a terrorist organization. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich earlier this year called for a Palestinian village to be “wiped out” — a comment he later apologized for after criticism by the United States.
Netanyahu’s new comments come after months of demonstrations against efforts by his government, the most right-wing ever, to overhaul the judiciary and limit the Supreme Court’s power.
Himself on trial in three corruption cases, the Israeli prime minister dismissed allegations that his legal woes had motivated the judicial changes, calling the claims “nonsense.”
Still, his government’s effort has roiled Israel, with businesses closing in solidarity with the protesters and former senior officials openly opposing the moves. A significant number of military reservists have joined the protests, an alarming development for the nation’s national security.
“I think it’s unfortunate that you’ve had reservists that are being lined up for something that involves a political debate,” Netanyahu said, adding that their involvement “politicizes the military.”
The three parts of the reform plan are removing the “reasonability test,” the elimination of the override clause, and changing how judges are appointed. The first part of the package of bills passed July 24 and removes justices’ rights to overrule Cabinet ministers’ decisions for being “unreasonable.”
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