Israel's Election Hinges on Judicial Overhaul Fight
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
Israel's current elections are centered on a "regime revolution" to overhaul the judiciary, according to the article. Key appointments like Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Supreme Court President Esther Hayut are seen as "small miracles" that have protected the rule of law. However, the author warns that a victory for Prime Minister Netanyahu's bloc could lead to the collapse of legal and democratic institutions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The upcoming Israeli elections are primarily about a "regime revolution" to dismantle the rule of law.
- Key appointments, like Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, have served as "small miracles" protecting democracy.
- Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit's tenure is cited as an example of compromised legal independence.
- Supreme Court President Esther Hayut's term allowed for crucial interventions against judicial overhaul laws.
- The article warns that a Netanyahu bloc victory could lead to the collapse of Israel's legal system.
- Legislative actions by the coalition are described as deliberate steps in the "regime revolution."
The current elections are fundamentally about a "regime revolution" aimed at undermining Israel's rule of law, according to the article. While political camps differ on many issues, the core dispute revolves around the proposed judicial overhaul, which critics argue would dismantle democratic checks and balances. The article posits that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political survival is intrinsically linked to this overhaul, portraying him as a figurehead for a broader agenda.
Over the past four years, a series of "small miracles" have narrowly preserved Israeli democracy and the rule of law. One such instance cited is the appointment of Gali Baharav-Miara as Attorney General by Gideon Sa'ar during the previous government. Her six-year term, beginning in February 2022, insulated the crucial legal advisory role from potential political manipulation by the current government.
The article contrasts this with past appointments of Attorneys General, such as Yehuda Weinstein and Avichai Mandelblit, who are described as having been chosen for their perceived loyalty to Netanyahu, potentially compromising their professional independence. Mandelblit's recent testimony as a defense witness in Netanyahu's corruption trial is presented as a sad illustration of this dynamic.
Another "small miracle" highlighted is the tenure of Esther Hayut as President of the Supreme Court. Her extended term, a result of fortuitous timing and her relatively young age upon appointment, allowed her to preside over critical decisions, including those challenging the government's judicial overhaul laws. Her experience and the court's preparedness enabled it to intervene in basic laws concerning the reasonableness standard and the disqualification clause.
However, the article stresses that not all developments are accidental. The coalition's legislative actions, such as politicizing judicial appointments, gaining control over television channels, and weakening the Attorney General's office, are presented as deliberate steps in the "regime revolution." The prevailing political assumption is that a victory for Netanyahu's bloc in the upcoming elections would mean the end of such "miracles," leading to the collapse of the legal system and the state's institutions.
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