A Sense Of History: Israeli Supreme Court Hears First Challenge To Judicial Overhaul

By i24
Posted on 09/12/23 | News Source: i24

One side says the courts have too much authority. The other says the government is now too powerful. Both sides agree: the stakes are high

A sense of history at Israel's Supreme Court – a country rising as all fifteen justices took their seats on Tuesday for a day of oral arguments, on how the court should rule on the move to limit the court's own power, on the balance between lawmaker and judge. 

Both sides agree: the stakes are high.

"Democracy doesn’t die from a few strong blows, democracy dies in a series of small steps,” said Israeli Supreme Court Justice Isaac Amit.

"Why is there a need for a legal procedure or a ruling that will harm the soul of democracy?" asked Simcha Rothman, Knesset Constitution Committee chairperson.