Israel: Despite social rejection, government moves forward with judicial reform

After a large number of marches with thousands of people in the street where he expressed his rejection, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to move forward with the controversial judicial reform. According to the prime minister and his allies, who are a collection of ultra-religious and ultra-nationalist parties, what is sought is to “improve” a system that gives too much voice to the courts and the government’s legal advisers on how laws are made and decisions are made. Although part of the bill is scheduled to be voted on Monday, it would be only the first of three readings required for parliamentary approval, the process is expected to take months. In this way, thousands of people gathered in front of the headquarters of the Israeli Legislative Power in Jerusalem waving flags and posters that said “Saving Democracy!” to express their rejection of this measure. In addition, opponents of the reform make clear that the country’s system of checks and balances will be altered and more power concentrated in the hands of the prime minister, who is on trial for corruption. Also from the technology sector warned that weakening the Judiciary could scare away investors.

Original source in Spanish