Knesset begins voting on ‘reasonableness’ law, the first judicial overhaul legislation

Carrie Keller-Lynn is a former political and legal correspondent for The Times of Israel

Religious ZIonism MK Simcha Rothman (L) and Justice Minister Yariv Levin at the Knesset ahead of the second reading on the "reasonableness" bill, July 24, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Religious ZIonism MK Simcha Rothman (L) and Justice Minister Yariv Levin at the Knesset ahead of the second reading on the "reasonableness" bill, July 24, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The Knesset begins voting on the “reasonableness” law, barring judicial review of government and ministerial decisions on the grounds of “reasonableness.”

The process of approving the legislation’s second and third readings, enacting the law, is expected to last one or two hours.

Negotiations on a compromise with the opposition collapsed minutes ago. The coalition is also not unilaterally softening the language of the bill, which is set to become the first piece of its planned judicial overhaul to become law.

Channel 12 reports that Justice Minister Yariv Levin made clear to Netanyahu during their discussions just prior to the voting that if the law does not pass in its current form, the coalition would collapse.

Ahead of the start of voting, Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman bickered with Yesh Atid lawmakers while formally presenting the “reasonableness” bill for its second reading.

“You are talking about the end of democracy, you’re spreading that fake news!” Rothman shouted at lawmaker Yorai Lahav-Hertzano, before the opposition MK was escorted out of the plenum.

Rothman, whose committee sponsored and prepared the bill, also charged the opposition with creating fear among citizens, leading to protests currently outside the Knesset.

Coalition members broke out into applause as Rothman introduced the bill, while opposition members chanted against him.

Netanyahu then entered and took his seat alongside Levin on the government bench, after shaking hands with opposition National Unity party leader Benny Gantz.

Most Popular