Israel's Supreme Court will hear petitions on Tuesday to quash an amendment by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition that curbs its very own power, in a historic session which has already inflamed the country's judicial crisis.
It is one in a series of appeals that the court will hear throughout September and which go straight to the core of theREASONABLENESS CLAUSE
On Sept. 12 for the first time in Israeli history, the entire 15-judge Supreme Court bench will convene to hear appeals by watchdog groups and lawmakers against a Basic Law. The legislation, ratified on July 24, removes one, but not all, of the tools the court has for voiding government and cabinet ministers' decisions or appointments. That tool empowers the court to rule an action is unreasonable.
Chief Justice Esther Hayut and fellow Israeli Supreme Court judges attend a hearing on appeal against the appointment of Interior and Health minister Aryeh Deri at the High Court in Jerusalem January 5, 2023 REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File PhotoWhen asked whether he would abide by a court ruling that quashes the new legislation, Netanyahu has not given the clearest answer, saying that Israeli governments have always respected court rulings, and that the court has always respected the basic laws.