Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, is surrounded by lawmakers at a session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem, Israel, on July 24.Maya Alleruzzo/The Associated Press
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted as saying on Sunday that he would work to change the committee that selects judges, amid a wave of protests over planned legislation which could see the highest court stripped of many of its powers.
Asked about the next phase of legislation on the judiciary, Mr. Netanyahu said “it would probably be about the composition of the committee that elects judges.” He told Bloomberg: “That’s basically what’s left.”
“Because other things I think we should not legislate,” he said, without elaborating.
Proponents of the legislation say it restores balance to the branches of government, while those against say it removes checks on government powers. The planned judicial overhaul has sparked national protests and criticism at home and abroad.
Last month, the coalition passed legislation that removed the court’s power to strike down government actions based on the action being classified as “unreasonable.”
Mr. Netanyahu told Bloomberg he did not want the government intervening in decisions made by the central bank and would consider asking the current director to stay on.
Incapacity law
Israel’s top court on Sunday scheduled a new hearing next month on appeals filed against an amended law that would limit conditions under which a prime minister can be designated unfit for office.
Following a first hearing on Thursday, the Supreme Court instructed the state to respond to arguments that the law should not come into effect immediately lest it be perceived as having been tailor-made for Mr. Netanyahu.
In a follow-up hearing set for Sept. 28, the case will be heard by an expanded panel of 11 justices, up from three justices, it said.