Justice minister meets with figures behind new proposal for changing judicial system

Justice Minister Yariv Levin is currently meeting with one of the teams developing potential frameworks for a negotiated judicial reform, confirms a spokesman for the minister.

Developed by former justice minister Daniel Friedmann and legal scholar Yuval Albashan, the potential framework touches on key areas, including the system for appointing judges and creating a mechanism for the Knesset to block or overcome judicial review on certain legislation.

Former general Giora Eiland, a key figure in drafting the so-called Friedman-Albashan framework, told Army Radio this morning that while it’s not what he would have preferred for reforming the judiciary, it was a workable starting place.

Despite nine straight weeks of protest, international and domestic warnings about damage to Israel’s economy, and legal opinions from the attorney general that the planned changes by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government would threaten judicial independence and erode democracy, Levin has been steadfast in pushing ahead with the legislation.