Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
I just held a great call between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, of "Israel," and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, of Kazakhstan
Donald Trump: "Kazakhstan is the first Country of my Second Term to join the Abraham Accords, the first of many."
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The Lebanese army refuses to evacuate the Martyr Mohammed Farhat barracks, located 200 meters from the threatened building in Kfardounine.
The Israeli occupation forces issued a new bombing threat to the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya in southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen English: Israeli warplanes launch two airstrikes on the town of Tyre, Aita al-Jabal, in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One martyred, 8 wounded in the Israeli airstrike that targeted Toura, south Lebanon, earlier in the day.
Israeli media citing high military official: No plans to escalate, no special instructions to "residents in the North."
Israeli media: Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz designates border region with Egypt "closed military zone."
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Injuries reported after an Israeli aircraft struck a lumber mill between the towns of Toura and al-Abbasiya
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli aircraft launch strike on outskirts of Toura, Tyre district.

'Israel' ignores settler dissent, moves forward with judicial overhaul

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Feb 2023 20:38
  • 3 Shares
4 Min Read

This morning, 63 Israeli occupation Knesset members voted in favor of the judicial overhaul bill in the first reading.

  • x
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and MKs at the Israeli Knesset in occupied Al-Quds, occupied Palestine, February 21, 2023 (AP Photo)
    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and MKs at the Israeli Knesset in occupied Al-Quds, occupied Palestine, February 21, 2023 (AP Photo)

Despite weeks of protests from Israeli settlers, the Knesset voted in favor of going through with the judicial reform legislation criticized as undermining the separation of power within "Israel". 

Settlers across "Israel" have been vehemently protesting the legislation under the pretext of it being a threat to "democracy", namely how it increases the authority of politicians over judges. 

Read more: Israelis protest judicial reform bill before vote

This morning, 63 members of the occupation's Knesset, more than the absolute majority of the quorum, voted in favor of the bill during the first reading. 

Before passing to its second and third readings in the Knesset, the bill will return to the law committee for further discussion.

Read more: Israeli Knesset gives initial approval to 'judicial reforms' bill

The proposed legislation would prevent courts from overturning any amendments made by the government to "Israel's" quasi-constitutional "Basic Laws", in addition to giving more weight to the government in the judge selection committee.  

The legislation undermining the judiciary's independence is fundamental to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, which is constituted by a coalition of extremist Zionist parties. 

Occupation President Isaac Herzog, who had been aiming to mediate the crisis between the ruling Israeli parties and the opposition, voiced concern over the divisiveness of the legislation, whereby it threatens the unity of the settler population. 

"This is a difficult morning," he said. "Many people fear for the nation's unity," 

Related News

US politics polarization: How Gaza garnered Mamdani his win

IRGC reveals new details on Haniyeh assassination and Iran’s response

"We need to make every effort to continue dialogue after this vote, to reach an agreed framework to take us out of this difficult period," he added

Additionally, Esther Hayut, the head of the Occupation Supreme Court, has denounced the reform as an attack on the judiciary's independence in "Israel".

UN rights chief Volker Turk implicitly condemned the initiated legislation in a statement saying that it  "would drastically undermine the ability of the judiciary to vindicate individual rights and to uphold the rule of law".

"Experience in Israel, and around the world, has shown the enduring value of a judiciary that can independently hold the other branches of government to the fundamental legal standards of a society set out in its basic laws," Volker added.

Read more: Enemies of 'Israel' happy with internal division: Israeli media

The big picture

Political divisions in "Israel" between the government and the opposition are escalating in light of the exchange of accusations of responsibility for the possible outbreak of an "internal war", as "Israel" is witnessing demonstrations held by thousands of settlers against the government of Benjamin Netanyahu.

This comes shortly after leaders within the Israeli occupation spoke about the ongoing division in "Israel" exposed by the results of the latest legislative elections.

Herzog said during a speech on the 27th anniversary of the killing of former Israeli occupation Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin that "the complicated political status quo in Israel poses somewhat of a historic challenge for us."

Meanwhile, former Israeli occupation Security Minister Benny Gantz called Israeli settlers to take to the streets in protest of changes to the Israeli "judicial" system that Benjamin Netanyahu's government proposed.

The demonstrators repeated chants against the new Israeli occupation government and some of its extremist ministers such as Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich, as per Israeli media.

Following his November 1 election win, Netanyahu took office late last month at the head of a coalition with Haganah-minded parties, some of whose officials now head key ministries. The new occupation government has announced intentions to pursue a policy of settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

  • Occupied Palestine
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Knesset

Most Read

People walk past a domestically-built missile "Khaibar-buster," and banners showing portraits of Iranian Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, center, and the late armed forces commanders at Baharestan Square in Tehran, Thursday, September 25, 2025

IRGC reveals new details on Haniyeh assassination and Iran’s response

  • Politics
  • 3 Nov 2025
Jimmy Wales speaking in Montreal, April 11, 2016. (AP / PA Images)

Wikipedia founder comments on Gaza genocide article sparks backlash

  • Politics
  • 3 Nov 2025
The US and Puerto Rican flags. (AFP)

US imposes flight restrictions off Puerto Rico under Pentagon orders

  • Politics
  • 31 Oct 2025
Mamdani defeats billionaire-funded campaign, triggers DEM divide

Mamdani defeats billionaire-funded campaign, triggers DEM divide

  • US & Canada
  • 5 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
A U.S. C-130 Hercules transport aircraft is on display at the Paris Air Show, Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Le Bourget, north of Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Politics

US moves toward securing military foothold at Damascus airbase

Alain Minc slams Macron’s legacy, warns of far-right surge
Politics

Macron's mentor calls him 'worst' president, warns of far-right surge

The new British Army Ajax armoured fighting vehicle on dispaly at the DSEI exhibition of military equipment in London, on September 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Politics

UK delivers first Ajax armored vehicles after eight-year delay

Impact of the UPS MD-11 cargo plane crash after it took off from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
US & Canada

Kentucky UPS cargo plane crash death toll rises to 12, 15 injuries

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS