Democratic Party Demands Legal Reforms Including Nation-State Law Repeal in Future Coalition Talks

The Democratic Party, led by MK Gilad Kariv, has outlined a comprehensive legal reform agenda it will insist on in any future coalition negotiations. Key proposals include repealing all judicial override laws, abolishing the Nation-State Law and replacing it with a Basic Law emphasizing Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and legally defining the role of the Attorney General as the government's legal advisor. The party also seeks to enact a law barring prime ministers from serving after indictment, impose sanctions on ministers and Knesset members who fail to submit asset declarations, and limit the prime minister’s tenure to eight years.

Kariv’s plan further calls for establishing a new appellate court between district courts and the Supreme Court, reforming court procedures, and clarifying the offense of breach of trust. These reforms aim to restore legal order and reverse recent judicial changes. The Democratic Party hopes the next Knesset term will enable passing these laws, which faced obstacles during the previous Bennett-Lapid government.

Last week, Democratic Party activists were violently attacked at a public outreach booth in Tel Aviv’s Hatikva neighborhood, with police arresting two suspects. Party chairman Yair Golan condemned the assault, emphasizing the activists’ commitment to replacing the current government and restoring security and hope to Israelis. Kariv accused supporters of Prime Minister Netanyahu of inciting violence against them and vowed to continue grassroots engagement nationwide.

The Democratic Party is preparing for its July 20 primaries, with 51 candidates competing for about 10 realistic Knesset spots. The party’s internal rules mandate gender alternation on the list, and the recent party registration drive attracted approximately 85,000 new members who will vote in the primaries.