Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under fire for his proposed judicial overhaul plan, which is heavily influenced by the country's far-right politicians.
According to sources close to the matter, Netanyahu is beholden to far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir and his party Otzma Yehudit. "If Netanyahu loses Ben-Gvir, he loses his government and he has to pacify him," said one anonymous source.
The proposed plan would give the Prime Minister greater authority over judicial appointments, potentially undermining the independence of Israel's judiciary. Critics argue that this move could have serious consequences for Israel's democracy.
"This is a blatant attempt by Netanyahu and his allies to consolidate power and undermine basic democratic principles," said opposition leader Yair Lapid. "We will fight against this dangerous proposal with all our might."
Many legal experts have also voiced concerns about the potential impact of such a change. "This would be a major blow to judicial independence in Israel," said lawyer Michael Sfard.
While the Israeli government has defended its proposal as necessary for effective governance, there are fears that it could lead to political interference in court decisions.
The influence of far-right politicians like Ben-Gvir on this issue highlights an ongoing shift towards more extreme politics in Israel. Some observers worry that this trend could further erode democratic norms and values.
As protests against the plan continue across the country, it remains unclear whether or not Netanyahu will be able to secure enough support from lawmakers for its passage into law.