Bennett Pledges to Repeal Judicial Overhaul Laws, Golan Demands No Netanyahu Alliance
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Naftali Bennett pledged to repeal four judicial overhaul laws and enact new Basic Laws if elected. This reverses his previous stance supporting limitations on the Supreme Court. Yair Golan praised Bennett's commitment but demanded he also pledge not to ally with Benjamin Netanyahu. Bennett's past advocacy included supporting an override clause and criticizing judicial intervention.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Naftali Bennett will repeal four judicial overhaul laws and enact new Basic Laws if elected.
- Bennett previously advocated for limiting the Supreme Court's power and changing judicial appointments.
- Yair Golan welcomed Bennett's pledge but demanded he rule out an alliance with Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Bennett's past efforts included promoting an override clause and criticizing judicial intervention.
- The proposed Basic Laws include the Declaration of Independence and legislation on legislation.
Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Together party, announced on Wednesday his commitment to immediately repeal four judicial overhaul laws advanced by the current coalition once the 26th Knesset is convened. In a statement posted on X, Bennett outlined his intention to cancel changes to the judicial appointments committee, the law concerning the Attorney General, the Police Internal Investigations Department law, and the communications law. He also proposed enacting new Basic Laws, including making the Declaration of Independence a Basic Law and passing a Basic Law on Legislation to solidify Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
Bennett's current stance marks a significant shift from his previous positions. Before serving as Prime Minister, Bennett was a prominent advocate for reforms aimed at limiting the power of the Supreme Court and altering the judicial appointment process. In 2017, as Education Minister and head of the Jewish Home party, he and then-Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked promoted a constitutional plan that included an override clause to allow the Knesset to re-enact laws struck down by the Supreme Court. At the time, Bennett criticized judicial intervention in government and Knesset decisions, stating, "There are judges who have forgotten that there is a government in Jerusalem," and advocating for legislation to restrict the Supreme Court's ability to disqualify laws.
Despite his past advocacy for judicial reform, Bennett's current pledge focuses on repealing the coalition's recent legislation in this area. However, his statement did not detail the alternative arrangements for these areas, particularly regarding the proposed method for appointing judges. His previous support for enacting a Basic Law on Legislation remains, though the specific mechanisms were not elaborated upon in his recent declaration.
Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, welcomed Bennett's commitment to repeal the judicial overhaul laws, viewing it as a step towards strengthening democracy. However, Golan added a political condition, urging Bennett to also pledge not to form a government with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Likud party, or any parties from the "massacre and draft evasion coalition." Golan concluded by suggesting that if Bennett is committed to their path, he should "go all the way."
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