Opposition MK warns bill to change how judicial ombudsman is appointed is’ very dangerous’

Democrats MK Gilad Kariv labels the draft legislation to change the way the ombudsman for judges is appointed as “very dangerous,” and says that the coalition’s efforts to pass the bill, and others, signal a return to its judicial overhaul agenda from before the October 7 catastrophe.

Kariv is also critical of some members of the opposition who he says are not fighting hard enough against the government’s efforts to change the judiciary.

“This law is very dangerous, and I’m critical of my colleagues in the opposition who are not using the all parliamentary tools available to stymie the regime coup legislation which you [the coalition] are bringing back,” says Kariv.

The MK, who accuses the government of taking advantage of the nation’s focus on the plight of the hostages in Gaza to advance such legislation, was speaking during a hearing of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee which is voting on the bill to approve it for its final readings in the Knesset plenum.

The legislation will likely give the coalition an automatic majority on a seven-member committee to appoint the ombudsman for judges — which has substantive oversight powers over judges and investigates complaints against them — leading to accusations that the new law will politicize the position and the oversight process itself.