The Sabra Report | Bench Press

Recap:

Israel’s coalition government passed a controversial law that alters the makeup of the Judicial Selection Committee and shifts judicial appointment power toward Knesset members.

The Context:

·      Judicial reform has been the cornerstone of Benjamin Netanyahu’s platform since returning to power in late 2022. Earlier versions of judicial reform were paused following the largest protests in Israeli history and later, the war in Gaza. The issue resurfaced in recent months amid a broader power struggle with other Israeli institutions including the firing of Shin Bet head Ronen Bar and ongoing efforts to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara — both of whom have opposed the coalition’s agenda.

·      The highly contentious bill drew an unprecedented 71,023 objections, which required an overnight reading and vote. Under the new law, the Judicial Selection Committee will see its composition change in the next Knesset. The two seats currently held by the Israel Bar Association — which have traditionally sided with the three judges on the panel — will be replaced with two attorneys selected by government officials: one by the coalition, one by the opposition.

·      Supporters argue the law brings democratic balance to a committee long dominated by legal elites. Justice Minister Yariv Levin said the bill restores meaning to the public’s vote and ends decades of submission and silence. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who helped draft the bill, emphasized that appointments will now require consensus between the coalition and opposition — not approval from the judiciary. Opponents of the law, who believe judges will become subject to the will of politicians, walked out of the Knesset ahead of the vote, which passed 67-1. Baharav-Miara warned the legislation casts a heavy political shadow over the judicial system.

·      Protests broke out outside the Knesset and in Tel Aviv. The Histadrut labor federation has not yet signaled whether it will support a full shutdown of the economy as it had following previous attempts to overhaul the judiciary. Israel has no formal constitution, and whether the High Court can overturn Basic Law amendments is an open legal question.

Conversation Points:

·      Why did judicial reform regain momentum now?

·      Does this law — alongside efforts to remove the Attorney General and Shin Bet head — suggest Netanyahu is trying to consolidate power?

·      Is it possible to reform judicial selection without weakening judicial oversight?

Notes:

·      Knesset passes controversial Judicial Selection Law amid large protests and opposition boycotts, March 27, 2025, All Israel News

·      Knesset approves dramatic judicial selection committee bill, March 27, 2025, Jerusalem Post

·      Knesset passes law greatly boosting political control over appointment of judges, March 27, 2025, Times of Israel

·      Israeli government increases politicians’ role in selecting judges, passing key piece of judicial overhaul, March 27, 2025, JTA

·      Israel’s parliament approves a key part of Netanyahu’s divisive judicial overhaul, March 27, 2025, Associated Press

·      Knesset passes controversial judicial reform, alters selection committee, March 27, 2025, i24NEWS

·      Israel’s judicial selection law feted as overdue correction, March 27, 2025, JNS