High Court: Knesset misused its powers last year by increasing budget framework

23 May 2021, 5:14 pm

Edit

The High Court of Justice rules that the Knesset made “improper use” of its powers when it last year increased the 2020 budgetary framework by NIS 11 billion — without actually passing a budget, as part of a compromise that extended the days of the Netanyahu-Gantz power-sharing government before it collapsed.

In a precedential ruling, the court — in a 6-3 majority — says that even legislation that amends Israel’s quasi-constitutional Basic Laws can be nullified if it is deemed by the justices to violate several vital criteria.

The court doesn’t overturn the law since almost all the money has been used, but it issues a decree stipulating that any similar amendment in the future would be void.