Premiership rotation law challenged in High Court

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a watchdog group, files a petition with the High Court of Justice arguing that the law passed earlier today codifying the premiership rotation in the coalition deal between Netanyahu and Gantz is illegal.

The court earlier this week had said it could not deliberate the legislation until it had been been passed into law. Last night it approved other clauses in the deal that did not require special legislation.

The group says that the law, which creates the new role of “alternate prime minister” as a constitutional entity, is part of “a blatant attempt to collapse the foundations of Israeli democracy with the sole purpose of allowing a single person [Netanyahu] to evade justice.”

Critics have pointed out that by taking on the role of “alternate prime minister” when his 18-month turn at the premiership is up, Netanyahu would avoid having to step down due to the criminal charges against him.