From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Knesset begins crucial debate on controversial ‘reasonableness’ bill
Carrie Keller-Lynn is a former political and legal correspondent for The Times of Israel
Knesset floor debate begins on the coalition’s controversial bill to outlaw judicial scrutiny over the “reasonableness” of government and ministerial decisions, with the bill expected to pass into law on Monday evening.
The bill will amend Basic Law: The Judiciary to block courts from invalidating, or even discussing, the “reasonableness” of cabinet or minister decisions, including appointments and the decision to refrain from activating authorities.
The opposition arranged a 26-hour filibuster, to stretch out debate from the plenum’s 10 a.m. Sunday opening until Monday at noon.
Following the end of the opposition’s allotted speaking time, government ministers and coalition lawmakers instrumental to advancing the bill will speak for about another two hours.
Voting on the bill’s second reading is expected to begin by 2 p.m. on Monday, including votes on 140 of the 27,640 reservations rejected by the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, which prepared the bill. The Knesset House Committee, under coalition control, limited voting to only 140 reservations, chosen by the opposition.
If any of the reservations are accepted by the Knesset, they will become part of the bill.
Voting on the bill’s third reading, its final one, is expected to immediately follow the second reading, beginning around 6 p.m. on Monday.
The bill is expected to pass on coalition-opposition lines, with the coalition’s majority of 64 seats in the 120-seat Knesset able to push it through over fierce civil society and professional objection.
The Times of Israel Community.