Israel's Judiciary Faces Unprecedented Challenges Amid Government Reforms
Since January 2023, the Netanyahu government has pursued a significant overhaul of the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches and the judiciary. Key proposals included granting the ruling coalition control over judicial appointments, limiting judicial review of legislation, and abolishing the reasonableness standard for government decisions. These efforts have led to escalating tensions and direct confrontations between the government and the Supreme Court.
Initially, the government sought to alter the composition of the Judicial Selection Committee and introduce an override clause allowing the Knesset to re-legislate laws struck down by the court. In July 2023, the Knesset passed a law limiting judicial review of government and ministerial decisions, though the opposition boycotted the vote. The Supreme Court, in a landmark decision on January 1, 2024, overturned this amendment by an 8-7 majority, asserting its authority to review Basic Laws in exceptional circumstances. This marked the first time the court had invalidated a Basic Law amendment. Justice Minister Yariv Levin vowed to continue the push for reform, criticizing the ruling as an overreach of judicial power.
The conflict also extended to judicial appointments. Levin initially refused to convene the Judicial Selection Committee, leading to a Supreme Court order in September 2024 compelling him to do so. Despite the court's order, Levin declared in January 2025 that he did not recognize Yitzhak Amit as the new Supreme Court President, deeming his selection process illegitimate. The government's defiance continued, with a July 2026 decision not to recognize an interim order from the Supreme Court regarding the Second Authority Council, prompting a warning from the court about potential personal liability for non-compliance.
Verbal attacks on the judiciary have also intensified, with politicians and public figures criticizing the court's decisions, particularly concerning security prisoners and the conscription of ultra-Orthodox men. These attacks culminated in a violent incident in June 2026, where dozens of protestors vandalized the home of Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg. The article details a timeline of legislative efforts, court rulings, and public statements, illustrating a prolonged and deepening conflict over the role and power of Israel's judiciary.
