Israeli judicial overhaul

File: Benjamin Netanyahu (right) during a Likud party meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem on December 13, 2021; Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (left) speaks during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, December 14, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90; Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)

Netanyahu: Saudi normalization would be quantum leap forward, change history

PM also tells Sky News that Israel ‘will do what we need to do’ against Iran’s nuclear program, says he’s ‘not sure’ consensus will be achieved on judicial overhaul

Op-edIt’s not too late for Netanyahu to do the right thing

By David Horovitz

Anti-overhaul activists disrupt Economy Minister Nir Barkat at a Jerusalem Post conference in New York, June 5, 2023. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)

Anti-overhaul protesters disrupt Economy Minister Barkat’s speech at NY conference

By Luke Tress

(R) Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in Jerusalem, May 17, 2023 (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90) and (L) US Vice President Kamala Harris on May 27, 2023, in West Point, New York (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

FM on Kamala Harris: ‘Wouldn’t be able to name one overhaul clause that bothers her’

By ToI Staff and Jacob Magid

June 9, 2023, 1:41 pm

Netanyahu: Saudi normalization would be quantum leap forward, change history

PM also tells Sky News that Israel ‘will do what we need to do’ against Iran’s nuclear program, says he’s ‘not sure’ consensus will be achieved on judicial overhaul

By ToI Staff

A security guard with Economy Minister Nir Barkat throws a protestor to the ground, in Boston on June 8, 2023. (Screenshot via Twitter used in accordance with clause 27a of the Copyright Law).

June 9, 2023, 1:40 am

Barkat’s security guards scuffle with protesters during minister’s Boston visit

Economy minister’s office claims a demonstrator tried to attack, was arrested by local police; protest leaders say activist in hospital after being roughed up by security detail

By ToI Staff and Luke Tress

File: Heads of opposition parties Labor MK Merav Michaeli, Yesh Atid head MK Yair Lapid, National Unity head MK Benny Gantz, Israel Beteinu head MK Avigdor Liberman and leader of the United Arab List MK Mansour Abbas hold a joint press conference in Tel Aviv, on March 16, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

June 8, 2023, 1:17 pm

Daily Briefing June 8: Opposition unites on judicial panel pick, but does it matter?

Knesset correspondent Carrie Keller-Lynn on squabbling ahead of Judicial Selection Committee vote; health reporter Renee Ghert-Zand on whooping cough outbreak, 1st case of progeria

By ToI Staff

Economy Minister Nir Barkat speaks during a conference in Haifa, March 21, 2023. (Shir Torem/Flash90)

June 8, 2023, 11:06 am

Barkat said to tell US bankers that only a negotiated judicial reform will pass

Government continues to send mixed messages, with Zohar telling domestic audience that coalition will pass the overhaul or fall; DC Jewish group said to cancel Chikli meeting

By ToI Staff

Participants at the annual Pride Parade in Tel Aviv, on June 10, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

June 8, 2023, 9:08 am

Tens of thousands set to attend Tel Aviv’s 25th Pride Parade

Event marking anniversary of LGBTQ community’s annual parade to be split in two due to intense heat, with march taking place Thursday afternoon and party on Friday

By Michael Horovitz

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset on May 29, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 8, 2023, 2:37 am

It’s not too late for Netanyahu to do the right thing

Much of the harm he has done to Israel these past 5 months defies rational explanation even from his point of view. He won’t be easily forgiven, but he must start to undo the damage

By David Horovitz

A sign reading 'Father of the dictator interchange: Father of a failed and corrupt tyrant who has become a pariah in Israel and around the world,' placed by reservist protesters against the coalition's judicial overhaul plans at a monument to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's father, Benzion, north of Jerusalem, June 7, 2023. (Special Operations Division alumni protest group)

June 7, 2023, 10:51 pm

‘Father of the dictator’: Reservist protesters rename site honoring PM’s late dad

Netanyahu files police complaint, claim activists ‘desecrated’ interchange; protest leader refuses to apologize, vows to press on with non-violent efforts against judicial overhaul

By Michael Horovitz

June 7, 2023, 7:43 pm

Barkat said to nix appearance in Boston amid ongoing anti-government protests

Economy minister reportedly accuses consulate of not doing enough to prevent demonstrations, as coalition MKs continue to face resistance during trips abroad

By Luke Tress and ToI Staff

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, in the center of Tel Aviv, December 25, 2018. (Adam Shuldman/Flash90)

June 7, 2023, 7:00 pm

Shekel returns to gains amid cautious market optimism over judicial compromise bid

Recent comments by government representatives and selection process of judicial panel bring some confidence back to Israeli markets, erasing most of the losses of the past 2 weeks

By Sharon Wrobel

Justice Minister Yariv Levin speaks in the Knesset on June 7, 2023. (Screenshot: YouTube; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

June 7, 2023, 3:37 pm

Levin calls current judge selection process ‘invalid’ and ‘unworthy’ of a democracy

Justice minister casts doubt on plans to convene appointment panel, says present method is at root of judicial system flaws; Knesset to elect MKs to sit on panel next week

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

Streets are flooded in Kherson, Ukraine, June 7, 2023, after the Kakhovka dam was blown up. (AP Photo/Libkos)

June 7, 2023, 1:03 pm

Daily Briefing June 7: How Jews of war-torn Kherson are faring in Dnipro dam disaster

Military reporter Emanuel Fabian on shooting in Huwara, IDF accidental killing of 2-year-old; Diaspora reporter Canaan Lidor on resolution of decade-long Vilnius cemetery dispute

By ToI Staff

June 7, 2023, 11:29 am

FM on Kamala Harris: ‘Wouldn’t be able to name one overhaul clause that bothers her’

After US veep speaks up for independent judiciary at Israeli Embassy 75th bash, Eli Cohen says he believes she hasn’t read proposal, later stresses ‘deep respect’ for her and DC

By ToI Staff and Jacob Magid

Yesh Atid MK Yair Lapid (R) speaks with MK Karine Elharrar (C) during a Yesh Atid Knesset faction meeting, May 29, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 7, 2023, 11:03 am

Ending squabble, opposition aligns behind Yesh Atid’s Elharrar for judicial panel

National Unity and Labor acquiesce to Lapid’s pick, citing centrality of committee to their united fight against government’s planned justice system overhaul

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

A illustrative view from Mount Carmel of the Haifa port and the Mediterranean Sea, January 2021. (Svarshik via iStock by Getty Images)

June 7, 2023, 10:05 am

OECD projects more moderate growth for Israel, citing judicial overhaul tensions risk

International economic organization slightly lowers Israeli GDP forecast to 2.9% in 2023 and 3.3% in 2024, notes underperformance of shekel and local stock market

By Sharon Wrobel

US Vice President Kamala Harris addresses an event hosted by the Israeli Embassy in Washington marking Israel's 75th year of independence on June 6, 2023. (Screen capture/Facebook)

June 7, 2023, 5:08 am

VP stresses importance of independent judiciary at Israeli embassy independence bash

In 14-minute speech that largely heaped praise on Jewish state, Kamala Harris makes not-so-subtle allusion to Biden administration’s opposition to judicial revamp

By Jacob Magid