Religious Zionism Party Sets Judicial Overhaul as Coalition Demand

The Religious Zionism party, led by Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has unveiled a comprehensive plan to reform Israel's judicial system, declaring its implementation a prerequisite for joining any future coalition government. The proposal, spearheaded by Constitution Committee Chairman MK Simcha Rothman, aims to redefine the balance of power between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Key elements of the plan include splitting the Attorney General's role into a politically appointed legal advisor to the government and an independent prosecutor responsible for criminal proceedings. It also proposes making legal advisors in government ministries political appointments and establishing a process for investigating state attorneys. The party seeks to reform the Supreme Court by introducing public hearings for judicial candidates and having all Israeli judges elect the court's president and deputy president. Additionally, the plan suggests using a randomized computer system to assign judges to cases and calls for regulating constitutional review and introducing an "override clause" that would allow the Knesset to re-legislate laws struck down by the Supreme Court.

The proposal also addresses senior appointments, advocating for the abolition of appointment committees and expanding the government's and ministers' authority in appointing senior officials. It suggests opening senior prosecution roles to external tenders. Further reforms include limiting investigation and indictment durations, removing the state's ability to appeal acquittals in criminal cases, and abolishing the offense of breach of trust.

Other proposed changes encompass electoral reform, such as lowering the electoral threshold and introducing a semi-open ballot system allowing voters to influence candidate rankings within parties. The plan also includes modifying Knesset member immunity and postponing criminal proceedings for certain offenses against prime ministers and ministers until after their terms conclude.

Smotrich stated that the upcoming judicial and legal appointments in the next term will "shape the State of Israel for years to come." He emphasized that the plan would "change the rules of the game," enabling the government to govern, the Knesset to legislate, and the judiciary to operate within its defined powers. Rothman described the initiative as a "foundational plan to return Israeli democracy to its course," arguing it would prevent decisions from being made by an unelected "deep state" and restore sovereignty to the people.