Smotrich's Party Unveils Judicial Overhaul Plan, Launches Controversial AI Campaign

The Religious Zionism party, led by Bezalel Smotrich and including MK Simcha Rothman, has presented its plan for reforming Israel's judicial system, signaling a continuation of the contentious judicial overhaul efforts from the previous Knesset session. The proposal includes appointing a Supreme Court president through a secret ballot of judges, splitting the Attorney General's role, and introducing an override clause. The party has declared this plan a prerequisite for entering any future coalition.

Alongside the policy announcement, the party launched its election campaign with an AI-generated video titled "Releasing the Blockage." The video depicts prominent legal figures, including Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, and Supreme Court Justice Daphne Barak-Erez, being dragged by police through burning streets, holding signs that read "No Smotrich." The video concludes with Amit walking defeated down an empty street, dragging his sign.

Smotrich stated that the upcoming election is "about the judicial system" and concerns citizens' freedom, drawing a parallel between protesters in Gush Katif and actions taken by Baharav-Miara. He also referred to Supreme Court President Amit as a "violent man" for allegedly disregarding the public's will. Rothman described the plan as "Law and Order 2," suggesting some aspects have already been implemented. He further alleged the existence of a "deep state" within the judicial system, complete with its own security forces and intelligence apparatus.

The plan's key components include splitting the Attorney General's office into a government appointee advisor and a separate prosecutor general, appointed with the recommendation of the Justice Minister and a public committee. It also proposes that the Supreme Court president and their deputy be chosen by a secret vote of all Israeli judges, rather than by the Judicial Selection Committee. Candidates for the Supreme Court would undergo public hearings.

Further proposals involve requiring a supermajority of judges for disqualifying laws, alongside the override clause allowing the Knesset to re-approve laws with a 61-vote majority. The plan also aims to limit the use of interim orders that halt laws or appointments and restrict standing to petition the High Court. Additionally, it suggests abolishing professional appointment committees for public service, allowing the government to appoint up to 50% of senior positions, and opening senior prosecution roles to external candidates. The plan also touches on suspect rights, eliminating vague offenses like breach of trust, limiting the state's ability to appeal acquittals, and setting time limits for investigations and prosecutions.

The proposals have drawn sharp criticism. Gadi Eisenkot condemned the video as "despicable and violent," accusing Smotrich of tarnishing an entire community and failing to learn from the October 7th events. Yair Golan called the video "incitement" and "bloodletting," linking it to Smotrich's past views and the government's actions leading to the recent war. MK Efrat Reiten characterized the plan as promising "violent rule" and "taking revenge on judges."