Israeli Court Overturns Part of Judicial Reform Law, Calls it a Threat to Democracy
• The Israeli Supreme Court struck down part of a judicial overhaul law, arguing it threatened democracy. The ruling was the first time the court overturned a quasi-constitutional Basic Law.
• Chief Justice Esther Hayut said the law limiting judges' ability to use "reasonableness" left the public vulnerable to arbitrary policies.
• Justice Yitzhak Amit wrote Israel lacks checks and balances, making reasonableness especially important. Stripping it harms democracy pillars like rule of law.
• The court ruled it can exercise oversight on Basic Laws, which act as a constitution. Even a conservative justice concurred Parliament can't pass any law.
• The 8-7 decision was razor thin. Two justices in the majority have since retired, meaning today's court would likely rule the opposite way.