(CNN) – Political positions in Israel differ over the Supreme Court's overturning of the “Justice Law,” which has sparked controversy because it could lead to a shift in judicial power.
The court ruled Monday, by an 8 to 7 majority, that the law should not stand because of the “severe and unprecedented blow to the fundamental characteristics of the State of Israel,” according to the ruling.
Twelve of the 15 judges affirmed that the court has the power to strike down a fundamental law in “serious cases”.
The law strips the Supreme Court of its power to declare government decisions unfair (argument of fairness), and is the first major part of a multi-pronged plan to weaken the judiciary passed by the Knesset earlier this year.
Benny Gantz, a member of the military cabinet, said of the decision: “Judgment must be respected and lessons must be learned from last year's conduct: we are brothers, we all have a common destiny. These are not the days of political debate. There are no winners and losers, today we have only one common goal. , it was to win the war together, and then, to regulate the relationship between the authorities and to enact a basic law. Basic laws.”
He added: “We will do this with broad consensus and open discourse, respecting all citizens of Israel, and this will be part of our success as a state and society.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the liberal, law-abiding, Supreme Court today has truly fulfilled its role in protecting Israeli citizens. We extend full support to the Supreme Court.
He said: “If the Israeli government resumes its dispute with the Supreme Court, it will learn nothing. They have learned nothing from October 7, they have learned nothing from the 87-day war for our homeland.”
On the other hand, National Defense Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said: “At a time when our fighters are sacrificing their lives every day for the people of Israel in Gaza, the judges of the High Court of Justice decided to weaken their morale and harm them. First and foremost.”
He added: “The Supreme Court's ruling is illegal, and an unprecedented abrogation of the Basic Law, in the absence of legal evidence, with a conflict of interest for the judges. This is a dangerous and undemocratic phenomenon. , and at this time, above all, a ruling that harms the war effort against the Israelis.” .. “her enemies.”
Likewise, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, an architect of the judicial reform plans and a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said, “The Supreme Court justices' decision to issue a ruling during the war reflects the sense of unity needed these days. A victory for our fighters at the frontline.”
He added: “Judges actually hold all the power in their hands, and in a democratic system they are divided in a balanced way between the three powers.”
He continued: “The situation in which a basic law cannot be enacted or any decision taken in the Knesset and the government without the approval of the judges deprives millions of citizens of their voice and their fundamental right to be equal partners in decision-making.”
“Governance, unparalleled in any Western democracy, will not escape our hands and we will continue to act with restraint and responsibility as the campaign continues on various fronts,” he said.
The Likud party said: “It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court will issue a ruling precisely when the right and left are fighting at the heart of the social controversy in Israel, risking their lives in the campaign.”
He added: “The court's ruling is contrary to people's desire for unity, especially in times of war.”
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said: “It is self-evident that the Supreme Court does not have the power to overturn basic laws, and the most obvious is that we cannot engage in this as long as the war continues.”
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