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☆ Israel’s Supreme Court to decide on law that could determine Netanyahu’s fate
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Jerusalem CNN —Israel’s Supreme Court is having a busy month hearing challenges to actions by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. On Thursday, arguments will be heard again, this time in front of 11 of the 15 Supreme Court justices. Normally the attorney general would put forward the government’s case in a Supreme Court hearing, but AG Gali Bahrav-Miara will not. The Supreme Court could also declare that the law “is not active right now,” and would only be active once the next parliament takes over. Additionally, the Supreme Court is due to hear a challenge to the justice minister delaying convening the committee to select new Supreme Court justices.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ”, Yariv Levin, Amir Fuchs, ” Fuchs, Fuchs, “, Levin, couldn’t, I’d, – Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Jerusalem CNN — Israel’s, Justice, Israel Democracy Institute’s Center, Democratic, CNN, Gali Locations: Jerusalem, Israel

She refers to the overhaul as a “judicial coup,” saying it risks facilitating the “de facto annexation of the West Bank without any critique or any review” from the Supreme Court. The cabinet includes a number of West Bank settlers in powerful positions, and the agreement that brought together the government calls for extending Israel’s sovereignty in the West Bank, effectively a call for annexation. Under Netanyahu’s far-right government, Israel has approved a record number of housing units in West Bank settlements, Peace Now said in a July report. “Did the Supreme Court protect Palestinian rights in the West Bank? More recently in 2017, Israeli security forces bulldozed nine homes built on private Palestinian land in the West Bank settlement of Ofra.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, West Bank haven’t, Sawsan, Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s, Israel, Israel doesn’t, ” Zaher, Eliav, ” Lieblich, Zaher, Ahmed Tibi, Bezalel Smotrich, Itamar Ben Gvir, Tibi, ” Tibi, ” Gershon Baskin, Bond, ” Baskin, “ Organizations: CNN, West Bank, Legal Center, Arab, Rights, United Nations, Israel Democracy Institute, Tel Aviv University, Palestinian Authority, Supreme Court, Court of Justice, Israel’s, Israeli, Court Locations: Palestinian, Israel, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Jerusalem, West, The Hague, Dura, Qara, Ofra

☆ Analysis-Amid Israel turmoil, markets want continuity at central bank helm
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Steven Scheer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Financial markets are hoping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu keeps Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron for a second term to safeguard the bank’s independence and provide reassuring stability to an economy rattled by political turmoil this year. FILE PHOTO: The Bank of Israel building is seen in Jerusalem June 16, 2020. “Therefore, markets and credit rating agencies are reading more into the question of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a second term. “Who will be governor is a major concern for investors abroad,” said Leader Capital Markets Chief Economist Jonathan Katz. Israeli media have reported that Netanyahu is considering Efraim Benmelech - a professor of finance at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Amir Yaron, Ronen, Netanyahu, Yaron, Karnit Flug, Fitch, ”, Jonathan Katz, “, ” Katz, Nadine Baudot, Jacob Frenkel, ” Frenkel, Netanyahu’s, Flug, Stanley Fischer, Fischer, Efraim Benmelech, Benmelech, Andrew Abir Organizations: Bank, Israel, Bank of, REUTERS, Netanyahu’s, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Reuters, ”, Capital Markets, Bank of Israel, Israel Democracy Institute, U.S . Federal Reserve, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University Locations: JERUSALEM, Bank of Israel, Jerusalem, Israeli, United States, Ukraine, Russia, “ Israel, Israel

☆ Analysis: Amid Israel turmoil, markets want continuity at central bank helm
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Steven Scheer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] The Bank of Israel building is seen in Jerusalem June 16, 2020. "Therefore, markets and credit rating agencies are reading more into the question of 'yes' or 'no' to a second term. "Who will be governor is a major concern for investors abroad," said Leader Capital Markets Chief Economist Jonathan Katz. A few years earlier in 2010, Stanley Fischer accepted a second term and helped Israel weather the global financial crisis. Reporting by Steven Scheer Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell Editing by Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ronen, Amir Yaron's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Amir Yaron, Yaron, Netanyahu, Flug, Fitch, Jonathan Katz, Katz, Nadine Baudot, Jacob Frenkel, Frenkel, Netanyahu's, Stanley Fischer, Fischer, Efraim Benmelech, Benmelech, Andrew Abir, Steven Scheer, Maayan, Christina Fincher Organizations: Bank of, REUTERS, Bank, Israel, Netanyahu's, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Reuters, Capital Markets, Bank of Israel, Israel Democracy Institute, U.S . Federal Reserve, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Thomson Locations: Bank of Israel, Jerusalem, JERUSALEM, Israeli, United States, Ukraine, Russia, Israel

☆ Israelis Protest Against Overhaul Plans Ahead of Key Court Decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Israelis protested in cities across the country on Saturday ahead of a key decision by the Supreme Court over legislation passed by the coalition which stripped the court of some of its oversight powers. Proponents say the judicial overhaul plans would restore balance to the branches of authority but critics say it removes vital checks on government powers. The latest legislation, an amendment to one of Israel's basic laws, removes the court's power to strike down government decision's or appointments on the basis of being "unreasonable." "I want to make sure that Israel will stay democracy and not a dictatorship." The overhaul plans have sparked weekly nationwide protests but the latest demonstrations held special significance as they came before the Supreme Court, for the first time in Israeli history, convenes its entire 15-judge bench on Sept. 12 to hear an appeal against the amendment.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu's, Nattie Schwartz, Kershberg, Emily Rose, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Israel Locations: JERUSALEM, Tel Aviv, Israel

☆ Israelis protest against overhaul plans ahead of key court decision
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/6] Protesters display a large banner as they take part in a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, Israel September 9, 2023. REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg Acquire Licensing RightsJERUSALEM, Sept 9 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Israelis protested in cities across the country on Saturday ahead of a key decision by the Supreme Court over legislation passed by the coalition which stripped the court of some of its oversight powers. Proponents say the judicial overhaul plans would restore balance to the branches of authority but critics say it removes vital checks on government powers. "I am demonstrating for Israel democracy," protester Nattie Schwartz-Kershberg said in Tel Aviv. The overhaul plans have sparked weekly nationwide protests but the latest demonstrations held special significance as they came before the Supreme Court, for the first time in Israeli history, convenes its entire 15-judge bench on Sept. 12 to hear an appeal against the amendment.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Ilan Rosenberg, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Nattie Schwartz, Kershberg, Emily Rose, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Israeli, REUTERS, Rights, Israel, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel

“There are many checks on the legislative and executive branches, but there are simply no checks on the Supreme Court,” Kontorovich said, without citing examples. Video Ad Feedback Hear Netanyahu respond to judicial overhaul plans amid protests 03:17 - Source: CNNUnlike many democracies, Israel does not have a written constitution. While they are a minority in Israel, they have different reasons for backing the judicial plan. The prime minister in his Thursday interview with CNN failed to confirm whether he’d accept a Supreme Court ruling that struck down the “reasonableness” law. Following backlash from the opposition, however, Netanyahu in a statement attempted to reassure the public, saying that Israeli governments “always respect” court decisions.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Eugene Kontorovich, Kontorovich, Netanyahu, ” Kontorovich, Israel “, ”, Tommy Lamm, Ronnie Lottner, “, Naftali Bennett’s, Tamar Hermann, ” Hermann, Gideon Rahat, Bennett, Yair Lapid, Hermann, Israel Democracy Institue Organizations: CNN, White, Israel’s, West Bank, Israel Democracy Institute, Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s, Israel Democracy Locations: Israeli, Israel, “

☆ Civil unrest, legal appeals and military disobedience: What Israel may face after Supreme Court law change
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Striking down a Basic Law would be uncharted territory for the Supreme Court, although the court has examined and commented on Basic Laws before. Hazem Bader/AFP via Getty Images People in Tel Aviv, Israel, demonstrate against the judicial overhaul plan on Saturday, July 22. Saeed Qaq/NurPhoto via Getty Images Protesters from Tel Aviv walk the entrance road to Jerusalem after a four-day march on July 22. Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters Protesters block the main entrance to the Ministry of Defense during a protest in Tel Aviv on July 18. Israeli military reservist signs pledge to suspend voluntary military service if the government passes judicial overhaul legislation, near the defence ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel on July 19.

Persons: CNN —, Israel doesn’t, Benjamin Netanyahu, Esther Hayut, ”, ” Hayut, Barak Medina, ” Medina, ” Yohanan Plesner, Ron Dermer, “, Plesner, Netanyahu, Monday, Amir Cohen, Corinna Kern, Oded, Jack Guez, Hazem Bader, Ammar Awad, Aryeh Deri, Shas, Ronaldo Schemidt, Ohad, Mahmoud Illean, Ronen Zvulun, Dar Yaskil, Saeed Qaq, Matan Golan, Eyal Warshavsky, Menahem Kahana, Ilan Rosenberg, Amir Levy, Medina, ” Plesner, Israel, Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, ” Dermer, Biden hadn’t, Martin Indyk, Dan Kurtzer, Indyk, Israel hasn’t Organizations: CNN, Law, Supreme, Nation State Law, Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s, of Law, Israel Democracy Institute, Strategic, Israel Medical Association, IMA, High Tech, ”, Reuters, Getty, AP, Protesters, Getty Images, Reuters Protesters, AP People, Ministry of Defense, Air, House Press, New York Times, State Department Locations: Israel’s, United States, Israel, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Israeli, AFP, Reuters Israeli

It is the first major piece of the multi-pronged judicial overhaul plan to get this far in the legislative process. The judicial overhaul is a package of bills that each need to pass three votes in the Knesset. Defending his plans, the prime minister has pointed to countries like the United States, where politicians control which federal judges are appointed and approved. Should the overhaul pass, the changes will be the most extreme shakeup to Israel’s judiciary since its founding in 1948. Its executive, the Bar Council, approved the decision to petition the Supreme Court to cancel the reasonableness law if it passes on Monday, the Bar said.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Aryeh Deri, Critics, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Joe Biden, New York Times ’ Thomas Friedman, ” Biden, Friedman, ” Netanyahu, Isaac Herzog –, –, Herzog, ” Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Sunday, Israeli, Court, Critics, Israel Democracy Institute, Air, New York Times, White, Biden, Israel Bar Association, Bar, Association Locations: Jerusalem, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, United States, Washington

☆ Analysis: Israel's tech sector reels from SVB collapse, proposed judicial reform
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Steven Scheer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

In an industry of around 400,000 there are currently around 6,000 vacant tech jobs, according to government data. More than half of the country's startups held an account with SVB, companies and venture capital investors said, in some cases their only U.S. banking facility although the amounts involved are not fully known. Tech companies and investors alike said SVB was a rarity in the banking industry, familiar with Israel's tech ecosystem and offering loan terms unmatched by other banks. Citing the judicial reforms, Adam Fisher, a partner at investment firm Bessemer Venture Partners, said fewer American banks may be willing to lend to Israeli companies, which means less competition and more onerous terms. Israel's tech companies are therefore likely to flock to register as U.S. companies, while keeping R&D back home, said Yaron Samid, managing partner of the TechAviv Founder Partners fund.

☆ Netanyahu fires defense minister for urging halt to overhaul
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen during the the 2016 Genesis Prize award-ceremony in Jerusalem, June 23, 2016. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly fired his defense minister on Sunday, a day after he called on the Israeli leader to halt a planned judicial overhaul that has fiercely divided the country and prompted growing discontent within the ranks of the military. "The prime minister of Israel is a threat to the security of the state of Israel," Lapid wrote on Twitter. "The prime minister will be forced to bow his head before the law and comply with the provisions of the law." The prime minister responded saying the appeal should be dismissed and said that the Supreme Court didn't have grounds to intervene.

☆ Israel ratifies law limiting conditions for a Netanyahu ouster
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] People demonstrate as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nationalist coalition government presses on with its contentious judicial overhaul, outside a museum in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 22, 2023. REUTERS/Nir EliasJERUSALEM, March 23 (Reuters) - Israel ratified a law on Thursday limiting the circumstances in which a prime minister can be removed, despite worries voiced by a government jurist that it may be meant to shield the incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu from any fallout from his corruption trials. The coalition says the overhaul is aimed at pushing back against Supreme Court over-reach and restoring balance among branches of government. Netanyahu denies all charges against him, and has cast the trials as a politicised bid to force him from office. "They have the potential to serve the personal interests of a man regarding the outcomes of legal proceedings he is facing."

☆ 'Huge uncertainty' for investors and economy as Israel's government pushes for controversial reforms
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Thousands of Israeli protesters rally against Israeli Goverment's judicial overhaul bills in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on February 25, 2023. Gili Yaari | Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesPrime Minister Netanyahu has labeled the protests — which are now approaching their third month — an attempt "to create anarchy" and trigger another election. In short, the proposed judiciary overhaul will severely limit the Israeli Supreme Court's ability to review and strike down laws that it deems unconstitutional. The Knesset — Israel's parliament — voted last week to advance a major part of the reforms. The prime minister himself is currently under investigation on numerous counts of corruption and other charges, meaning he would likely benefit from a weaker judiciary.

☆ Tens of thousands of Israelis protest against Netanyahu justice plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( Emily Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/5] Israelis protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new right-wing coalition and its proposed judicial reforms to reduce powers of the Supreme Court, in Tel Aviv, Israel January 21, 2023. REUTERS/Ilan RosenbergTEL AVIV, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Israelis joined demonstrations on Saturday against judicial reform plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government that protesters say will threaten democratic checks and balances on ministers by the courts. "We are fighting for democracy," said Amnon Miller, 64, among crowds of protesters, many bearing white and blue Israeli flags. Likud has long accused the Supreme Court of being dominated by left-wing judges who it says encroach on areas outside their authority for political reasons. A survey released by the Israel Democracy Institute last week showed trust in the Supreme Court was markedly higher among left-wing Israelis than among those on the right, but that there was no overall support for weakening the court's powers.

☆ Netanyahu government unveils plan to rein in Israel's top court
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JERUSALEM, Jan 4 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new hard-right Israeli government unveiled a plan on Wednesday that would allow parliament to overturn some Supreme Court rulings and grant the government more say in nominations to the bench. Israelis opposed to the measures defend the court as a bulwark for minority rights and a separation of synagogue and state. Netanyahu, who returned to power after winning a Nov. 1 election, is on trial for corruption on charges he denies. On Thursday, the Supreme Court is due to hear appeals against the appointment of ultra-Orthodox Jewish politician Aryeh Deri as cabinet minister despite his having been convicted of tax fraud. Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid said he would fight against the proposed measures and "cancel them when we return to power."

☆ Analysis: Will Netanyahu clip the wings of his new cabinet hawks?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Both are West Bank settlers averse to Palestinians' self-rule - let alone their hopes of statehood. Netanyahu's previous 15 years as premier saw him feathering the nests of the hawks in his cabinet - or clipping their wings - as he deemed necessary. But that may have to wait, as Ben-Gvir's portfolio does not grant major powers in the West Bank, which is under the overall control of the military. Arguably, Ben-Gvir, 46, and Smotrich, 42, can afford to shelve some of their agendas for this round with Netanyahu, 73. Smotrich's advocacy of Jewish claims on the West Bank is informed by a doctrinaire faith in Bible prophesy.

☆ Israel’s Netanyahu says he has formed new government
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

JERUSALEM — Designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced late Wednesday that he has successfully formed a new coalition, setting the stage for him to return to power as head of the most right-wing Israeli government ever. Netanyahu made the announcement in a phone call to President Isaac Herzog moments before a midnight deadline. His Likud Party released a brief video clip of the smiling Netanyahu and a recording of the conversation. Nonetheless, Netanyahu said he intends to complete the process “as soon as possible next week” A date for its swearing-in wasn’t immediately announced. Likud lawmakers have been competing for a shrinking collection of assignments after Netanyahu gave away many plumb jobs to his governing partners.

☆ Analysis: As Netanyahu returns, concerns grow over far-right ally
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( James Mackenzie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/5] Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by wife Sara Netanyahu, addresses his supporters at his party headquarters during Israel's general election in Jerusalem, November 2, 2022. "This party is a huge success, no religious party in Israel has ever achieved such a number," he said. With the conflict with the Palestinians surging anew and touching off Jewish-Arab tensions within Israel, Ben-Gvir on Thursday tweeted: "The time has come to impose order here. Contrary to his hawkish image, Netanyahu has often taken a more flexible and pragmatic approach than some of his predecessors. "Netanyahu now has a personal interest in limiting the power of law authorities and the Supreme Court because of his trial," Shapira said.

☆ Israel's Netanyahu, charged with corruption, is set for a dramatic comeback in 5th election since 2019
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a ceremony in Jerusalem, April 13, 2021. Debbie Hill | ReutersVotes are being counted after Israelis cast their ballots in the country's fifth election since 2019. This would be a controversial and dramatic comeback for the lightning-rod politician, whom Israelis tend to either love or hate. Netanyahu is the longest-serving prime minister in Israel's history, and is currently charged with multiple counts of corruption with investigations and legal proceedings ongoing. In order to lead the government in Israel, a party has to win a majority of 61 seats — the magic number — in Parliament.

☆ Disillusioned Palestinian voters may shape Israeli election
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Henriette Chacar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Some citizens identify as Palestinian, despite their Israeli citizenship, while others prefer to be called Arab citizens of Israel, because they want to emphasize equal rights with Jewish Israelis. Opinion polls he conducted show that more than 70% of eligible Palestinian voters now support an Arab party participating in a coalition, whether they intend to vote themselves or not. Makladeh, the pollster, said the most repeated phrase during interviews with 200 Palestinian citizens in Israel for a recent poll was: "We are voting for nothing." A relatively small group of eligible voters among Palestinians citizens in Israel, around 12% according to Makladeh, has actively boycotted general elections for years. Regional changes have also shifted priorities for Palestinian citizens in Israel, Khalaily said.

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