The Israeli Supreme Court rejected a critical component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s attempts to overhaul the country’s judicial system on Monday.
The law, passed over the summer of 2023, blocked judges from overturning government policies they viewed as “unreasonable.” The court issued its ruling on Monday, New Year’s Day, as it marked the final day of work for outgoing court president Esther Hayut, according to the Associated Press.
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The policy sparked widespread protests within the country and abroad, leading to thousands of Israelis partaking in national protests of the law. President Joe Biden and top administration officials also forcefully spoke out against Netanyahu’s judicial reforms despite the pair’s close, decadeslong relationship.
“As a lifelong friend of Israel, President Biden has publicly and privately expressed his views that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in July. “It is unfortunate that the vote today took place with the slimmest possible majority. We understand talks are ongoing and likely to continue over the coming weeks and months to forge a broader compromise even with the Knesset in recess. The United States will continue to support the efforts of President Herzog and other Israeli leaders as they seek to build a broader consensus through political dialogue.”
The prime minister and his allies argued the reforms would strengthen the country’s democratic system by shifting power away from judges and toward elected representatives, yet opponents argued the ploy was an attempt by Netanyahu, who is facing corruption charges, to consolidate power for himself and his allies.
Netanyahu’s office has yet to respond to the Supreme Court’s ruling, but the decision could rekindle political unrest in the country that had been set aside in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.
Israel is rapidly losing international support for its prolonged bombing campaign in Gaza, which the government has undertaken to root out Hamas and other Islamic terrorist groups.
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Biden, who initially fully supported the Israel Defense Forces’ campaign, has begun urging Netanyahu to show more restraint and start winding down the bulk of fighting in Gaza while simultaneously acknowledging the political tightrope Netanyahu is walking while speaking to Democratic donors.
“I think he has to change, and with this government, this government in Israel is making it very difficult for him to move,” Biden told attendees at a recent campaign fundraiser. “They’re starting to lose that support by the indiscriminate bombing that takes place.”
