Opposition leaders say advancing ‘reasonableness’ bill harms Israelis

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

Yesh Atid head MK Yair Lapid (left) and National Unity head MK Benny Gantz in the Knesset in Jerusalem, February 20, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Yesh Atid head MK Yair Lapid (left) and National Unity head MK Benny Gantz in the Knesset in Jerusalem, February 20, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

In a joint statement, opposition party heads Yair Lapid and Benny Gantz slam the coalition’s advancement of a bill to outlaw judicial review of cabinet and minister decisions.

“Today’s vote in the Constitution Committee are a blatant unilateral move that harms the citizens of Israel and tears the nation apart,” they write.

Despite breaking off compromise talks last month, Yesh Atid and National Unity party heads say that it is still “possible to reach agreements, it is possible to make changes in the judicial system for the good of Israeli citizens and not for the tyranny of the majority and corrupt appointments.”

They say that eliminating the reasonableness test opens the door for corruption.

“This law is not meant to protect the citizens, but to protect the politicians,” they say, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause the bill before its first floor vote.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.