Herzog proposal gives Basic Laws greater constitutional status

President Isaac Herzog’s “People’s Framework” would institute a rigid system for the passage of Basic Laws, giving them greater constitutional status, and they would not be subject to judicial review.

Approving a Basic Law would require four readings in the Knesset. The first three could be approved with by 61 MKs, but the fourth would need the approval of 80 MKs.

Any changes to the election law would require the approval of 80 MKs in every reading.

The existing Basic Laws would be “entrenched,” meaning re-legislated with a sizable majority, although the outline he published on Wednesday night does not specify how that would happen.

Herzog’s plan also calls for the passage of Basic Law: Legislation, but the outline does not provide details on that either.