Netanyahu Resumes Judicial Overhaul Amid Ongoing Conflict in Gaza

In a contentious move, Prime Minister Netanyahu's government has enacted reforms to enhance political power over judicial selections, reigniting previous tensions while the conflict with Hamas endures.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government took a significant step on Thursday morning by implementing new legislation that expands political control over the appointment of judges, reigniting fierce debates that had only cooled due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The 120-member Knesset passed two laws after an extended overnight discussion that saw opposition parties largely abstain from the vote. The new laws modify the committee responsible for selecting judges, including Supreme Court justices, in ways that critics argue will lead to increased politicization of the judiciary.

This shift marks a resurgence of Netanyahu's two-year-long push for increased authority over various governmental branches, which was temporarily shelved following Hamas's assault in October 2023 and the ensuing war in Gaza. Prior to the conflict, Netanyahu faced widespread protests against similar judicial reforms, prompting him to halt his legislative ambitions in pursuit of national unity during wartime.

However, as fighting continues between Israel and Hamas, Netanyahu has revived his judicial agenda alongside efforts to diminish the power of state watchdogs, seeking to dismiss both the attorney general and the head of internal security. The newly passed laws, while less expansive than earlier proposals, are likely to rekindle public unrest reminiscent of pre-war protests, as demonstrated by crowds of demonstrators gathered outside the Knesset on Wednesday, some calling for immediate peace negotiations to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Inside the parliamentary chambers, Netanyahu addressed lawmakers passionately, arguing that his government must rein in an unelected "deep state," drawing parallels with populist rhetoric previously adopted by figures like Donald J. Trump.