The Knesset was set to vote Monday on a bill to end the Supreme Court's use of the standard of "reasonableness" to cancel government decisions.
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The amendment to Basic Law: The Judiciary is head to the full Knesset for the first of three readings necessary for it to become law, with the Coalition hoping to finalize the process by the end of the current summer session that ends on July 30. The bill is part of the Coalition's legislative push led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reform the judicial branch.
Video: Protesters against the judicial reform outside the home of Justice Minister Yariv Levin (Credit: Moshe Ben Simhon)
The Opposition is firmly opposed to the changes, taking to the streets in past months for massive demonstrations and engaging in heated debates in the Knesset. Protesters threatened to converge on Ben-Gurion International Airport and major retailers, such as Big Shopping Centers, said they would shut all stores if the controversial legislation is passed as part of nationwide disruptive demonstrations on Tuesday.
Big later walked back the threats following rebellion from stores and political pressure, saying it will not force its stores to go on strike.
Under the proposed reforms, the Supreme Court will still hear appeals and even retain the power to strike down laws by super-majority, but they will no longer be afforded the "reasonableness" concept that has been criticized as too abstract. In turn, the Knesset will be empowered to override by an absolute majority Supreme Court opinions that are not handed down by super-majority.
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