Religious Zionism Party Sets Judicial Overhaul as Coalition Demand

The Religious Zionism party, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, has unveiled a comprehensive plan for reforming Israel's judicial system. The party intends to make the implementation of this plan a prerequisite for joining any future coalition government.

The proposal, spearheaded by MK Simcha Rothman, chairman of the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee, aims to redefine the relationship between the Knesset (parliament), the government, and the judiciary. It seeks to establish an "independent judiciary alongside a government and Knesset capable of fulfilling the authority and responsibility entrusted to them by the public," according to the party's statement.

Key elements of the plan include re-establishing boundaries between the branches of government, enhancing transparency and oversight within the judicial system, and completing the separation of the Attorney General's role. The proposal also suggests making legal advisors in government ministries political appointments, subject to the ministers' trust, and regulating the process for investigating prosecutors. Specific reforms target the Supreme Court, proposing public hearings for nominees, election of the court's president and deputy by all Israeli judges, and random computer-generated assignment of judges to cases.

The party emphasizes that ten new Supreme Court justices are expected to be appointed in the coming term, significantly shaping the court's future. The plan also calls for eliminating judicial appointment committees, expanding the government and ministers' authority in appointing senior officials, and opening senior prosecution positions to external tenders. It includes provisions for limiting investigation and indictment durations, removing the state's ability to appeal acquittals in criminal cases, and abolishing the offense of breach of trust.

Further proposals involve increasing the broadcast and recording of court proceedings, strengthening oversight mechanisms for the judiciary and prosecution, lowering the electoral threshold, expanding surplus vote agreements, and introducing a semi-open ballot system to allow voters to influence candidate rankings within parties. The plan also addresses Knesset member immunity and proposes delaying criminal proceedings for certain offenses against prime ministers and ministers until after their terms of office.

Smotrich stated that the party will demand the plan's implementation upon the formation of the next government, asserting it will "change the rules of the game" to enable the government to govern, the Knesset to legislate, and the judiciary to operate within its defined powers. Rothman described the plan as a "foundational plan to return Israeli democracy to its course."