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Thursday, March 28, 2024

US administration accused of siding with opponents of Israel’s judicial overhaul

1 May: The justice minister of Israel, Yariv Levin, has alleged that the US administration is working in cooperation with the protesters against his controversial judicial overhaul proposals, which aim to curb the power of the Supreme Court and give more control to the government over judicial appointments.

Levin made the claim in a closed-door meeting with ultra-Orthodox activists on Sunday night, which was leaked to the media on Monday. He said that the US government’s stance on the issue was evident by the statements made by its officials, but he clarified that he did not think there was a conspiracy against his legislation.

Levin also blamed dissent within his own Likud party for the delay in passing the overhaul bills, which have been put on hold since late March after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a pause to allow for negotiations with President Isaac Herzog and other parties. Levin said he was determined to fight for “real and not meaningless cosmetic changes” in the judiciary.

The judicial overhaul has been met with fierce opposition from civil society groups, legal experts, opposition parties and even some members of the ruling coalition, who fear that it would undermine the rule of law and democracy in Israel. The Supreme Court’s chief justice, Esther Hayut, has warned that the overhaul would deal a “fatal blow” to the judicial system and accused Levin of launching an “unrestrained attack” on it.

Levin has defended his proposals as necessary to restore balance and accountability in the judiciary, which he claims has overstepped its authority and interfered with the government’s decisions. He has also accused the media of being biased and supportive of the court and its defenders.

The judicial overhaul is seen by many as part of Netanyahu’s efforts to evade prosecution in three corruption cases, in which he faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and accuses the judiciary, the police and the media of conspiring to oust him from power.

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