Civil rights groups urge Netanyahu not to pass ‘override law’

A coalition of 16 civil rights organizations send a letter to presumptive incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him not to allow an “override law” to be passed in the next government.

The incoming coalition plans to legislate an override clause that would allow lawmakers to reinstate legislation struck down by the High Court.

Negotiation teams from the right-religious coalition’s parties are currently debating the number of the Knesset’s 120 MKs that would be required to do so, but the clause itself is a legislative priority shared by all of the parties.

The petition cautions Netanyahu that passing such a law would lead to grave violations of human rights.

“Passing an override law may lead to a situation where the coalition, which is the majority at this time, will be given absolute and arbitrary control and unlimited power,” the petition says.

“In fact, the current political majority in Israel will give itself the authority to enact any law it wishes, even if the meaning of the legislation is a substantial violation of basic rights and a violation of the robustness and independence of the judiciary.”