Israel's Supreme Court has struck down a controversial law passed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government, which reduced some of the Supreme Court's powers and sparked protests across the country.
The new legislation removed one of the ways through which the Supreme Court could overturn the decisions of the government and ministers.
The law would have stripped the court of its ability to overturn such decisions that it deemed “unreasonable.”
Opponents said the legislation could open the door to corruption and inappropriate appointments of unqualified allies to important positions.
The court said in a statement that eight out of 15 judges ruled in favor of repealing the law, adding that they ruled to repeal the law because it would cause serious harm. IsraelDemocracy.
The proposed legislation, passed in July, was part of a broader judicial reform he proposed Netanyahu And his coalition of religious and nationalist partners has caused a deep rift in Israel and concern about the country's democratic principles among Western allies.
These divisions have been largely put aside as the country focuses on its war Gaza But today's court decision may reignite the tensions it raised Months of massive protests Against the government and shook the cohesion of the strong army.
Netanyahu's Likud Party said that the decision was unfortunate and that it conflicted with “the will of the people for unity, especially in times of war.” Opposition representatives praised the ruling.
This comes at a time when Israel withdrew five brigades, numbering several thousand troops, from Gaza in the first major withdrawal of its soldiers since October 7.
There were several other developments in the war between Israel and Hamas as Rosh Hashanah approached its end:
- Residents said that Israel also withdrew its tanks from some neighborhoods of Gaza City today, while announcing plans to change its tactics.
Reducing troop numbers; - the we He said this indicates the beginning of a shift to less intensive operations in northern Gaza
- Hizb allah It said that three of its fighters were killed in the south Lebanon;
- Also in Lebanon, the Israeli army said it struck Hezbollah targets and that five soldiers were wounded by cross-border fire.
- agitation A large barrage of missiles was launched towards Israel, including its commercial center Tel Aviv, at midnight on New Year's Eve;
- Israeli Defense Minister says some communities evacuated to northern Gaza Strip will be able to return soon;
- The US Navy said it will end the deployment of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East that began after the October 7 attack.