Israeli Knesset Committee Plans to Split Judicial Reform Bill to Expedite Progress

The chairman of the Knesset Constitution Committee, Member of Knesset Simcha Rothman, announced plans to discuss splitting the controversial judicial reform bill during the committee meeting scheduled for Sunday. The proposed split aims to advance the sections of the bill that have already been debated, specifically those concerning the status of the Attorney General's legal opinions, representation, and oversight of the Attorney General. This procedural move is intended to facilitate the bill's progression to its second and third readings amid intense discussions and sharp disagreements within the committee in recent weeks.

Rothman officially informed committee members that the meeting time on Sunday will be postponed to 11:00 a.m. to accommodate the discussion on the bill's division and the necessary adjustments to the relevant sections under the new format. The judicial reform bill, which includes splitting the role of the Attorney General, has sparked significant public interest and fierce disputes among committee members. Just last Tuesday, tensions escalated during a session when all six deputy attorneys general attended, leading to Rothman removing Deputy Gil Limon following a heated exchange.

The coalition is eager to push the legislation forward swiftly, and the proposed division of the bill is seen as a strategic step to ease the completion of the initial legislative stages. The bill remains a focal point of debate regarding the future of the Attorney General's role and the broader judicial reform agenda in Israel.