Israel: Ex-officials warn of destruction of justice system

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Demonstration against Israel's new government (on January 7 in Tel Aviv)

Photo: ABIR SULTAN/EPA

Israel's new government is as far right as any in the country's history.

Right-wing extremist politicians are also represented in Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government and are now setting about implementing their agenda.

There is massive resistance to this, now also among former high-ranking judicial officials.

You see a weakening of the rule of law in the new government's planned judicial reform.

"We are convinced that this plan does not promise to improve the (judicial) system, but rather threatens to destroy it," reads a released statement signed by 11 former attorneys general and prosecutors.

They were horrified when they heard about the plans of the new justice minister, Jariv Levin.

Supreme Court as “pseudo-political body”

The proposed change in the appointment of judges will result in the transformation of the Supreme Court from an independent institution into a "pseudo-political body that can be suspected of making decisions in favor of the government," the letter said.

They asked the government to abandon the plans.

A first draft law on the reform plans was published on Wednesday evening.

A majority in parliament should therefore be able to pass a law even if the Supreme Court considers it to be in violation of the Basic Law.

Levin also wants to change the composition of the panel that appoints judges.

The reform is essential for democracy to exist and for restoring public confidence, Levin said.

He accuses the Supreme Court of excessive interference in political decisions.

Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak called for protests over the plans.

The new government wants to "overthrow the system of government and destroy the Declaration of Independence and the fundamental values ​​for which the State of Israel fought and was founded to promote," Barak wrote in a guest article in the Israeli newspaper Yediot Achronot.

It is the duty of every citizen to join the struggle for their homeland.

Another demonstration with several thousand people against the new government is planned in Tel Aviv on Saturday.

Israel's new police minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, had already announced tougher action against demonstrations and demonstrators.

ulz/dpa