Daily Briefing Mar. 27: Day 538 – Knesset passes judicial selection law, what now?

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Times of Israel founding editor David Horovitz joins host Jessica Steinberg for today’s Daily Briefing.

Following the early morning passage of the highly controversial law that greatly increases political power and influence over the judicial appointments process in Israel, Horovitz examines details of the measure, noting the significance of the fact that it will only come into effect in the next Knesset, meaning after Israel’s next general elections, currently scheduled for October 2026.

Horovitz discusses why the coalition government is taking this step now and how the opposition parties and Israeli society are reacting to it, highlighting that it has been in the making since the right-wing government was elected in November 2022 but specifying that the final legislation is different from the original plan.

There have been waves of protests over the last ten days, with rallies calling for the return of the hostages and anti-government demonstrations in Jerusalem. Horovitz looks at what’s being said at those gatherings and whether they have any effect on current politics.

He also speaks about the continuing protests in Gaza, featuring clear calls against Hamas, although the terror group claims that Gazans are protesting Israel’s return to war.

Please see today’s ongoing liveblog for more updates.

For further reading:

Knesset passes law greatly boosting political control over appointment of judges

‘Democracy isn’t in danger,’ Netanyahu tells Knesset in tirade against ‘deep state’

Happening now: The smooth, malevolent unraveling of Israel’s vulnerable democracy

Thousands protest outside Knesset ahead of final votes on controversial judicial bill

Hundreds in Gaza join rare protests against Hamas rule, call for an end to the war

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Check out yesterday’s Daily Briefing episode here: