His hospitalization has further deepened the impasse between Netanyahu and protesters fighting his recent government overhaul plan that would limit the supreme court’s oversight powers and change the country’s judiciary system.
In fact, the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, has just voted to pass that controversial bill. The vote on the third and final reading passed 64 to 0, with opposition members boycotting it in protest. The bill is part of Netanyahu’s plan to reform the Israeli judiciary and would restrict the court’s ability to strike down government decisions.
The government has argued that this “reasonability” standard gives unelected judges too much power, while critics have warned that it could lead to corruption and improper appointments. The move has been met with mass protests from opponents of the bill, who are concerned that it weakens democracy in Israel. The protests have also been joined by military reservists in fast rising numbers that are refusing to serve out of a fear that the nation is heading toward an authoritarian regime.
Movement for Quality Government in Israel has said that it will appeal the law in the supreme court.
