Israeli Judicial Authority

People protest against the planned judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv, on June 24, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

Newly elected head of the Israeli Bar Association Amit Becher at a press conference for the announcement of the election results for the Israeli Bar Association in Tel Aviv, June 21, 2023. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Winning bar contest, Becher spoils coalition hope of controlling judge picks, for now

June 24, 2023, 11:13 pm

25th week of rallies: Protesters warn of escalation if coalition moves unilaterally

As some 100,000 demonstrate in Tel Aviv and thousands protest elsewhere, leaders maintain dark forces continue to threaten Israel’s democracy

By ToI Staff

June 21, 2023, 10:40 pm

Winning bar contest, Becher spoils coalition hope of controlling judge picks, for now

Victorious new Israel Bar Association chair says his election will go down as ‘an important chapter in the history of Israeli democracy’

By Jeremy Sharon

Lawyers cast their ballots for the head of the Israel Bar Association at a voting station at the Magistrate's Court in Jerusalem, June 20, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 20, 2023, 9:56 pm

Chaos in crucial Bar Association elections as high turnout complicates vote

Some voters report waiting many hours to cast ballots, as attorneys scramble to address prospect of government controlling judicial selection without the need for legislation

By Jeremy Sharon

Interim head of the Israel Bar Association Amit Becher (left) and former Israel Bar Association head Efi Nave (right). Becher and Nave are the leading candidates in the elections for IBA chairman set for June 20, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90 and Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 19, 2023, 4:59 pm

Character of the judiciary at stake in Tuesday’s Israel Bar Association elections

Support within the IBA’s National Council could give Justice Minister Levin enough power to remake the judiciary without the need for legislation. How likely is that to happen?

By Jeremy Sharon

President Isaac Herzog hosts delegations from Likud, Yesh Atid and National Unity for judicial overhaul negotiations at his residence in Jerusalem, March 28, 2023. (Kobi Gideon/ GPO)

May 17, 2023, 10:48 pm

Opposition parties deny reports of progress in judicial overhaul negotiations

Yesh Atid, National Unity say significant gaps remain in talks between coalition and opposition, allege ‘false reports’ of advances based on politically motivated leaks

By Jeremy Sharon

Left: Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara at her welcome ceremony in Jerusalem on February 8, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90). Right: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, on January 11, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

April 3, 2023, 9:29 pm

AG: PM not in contempt of court despite violating conflict of interest in overhaul

In response to petition from good governance group, Baharav-Miara tells High Court that Netanyahu’s conduct hasn’t crossed high bar required for him to be held in contempt

By ToI Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a Likud party faction meeting in Knesset, March 13, 2023. (Erik Marmor/Flash90)

April 2, 2023, 7:30 pm

Citing ‘national crisis,’ Netanyahu tells court he must be involved in overhaul

Responding to petition calling for him to be held in contempt of court, PM denies any conflict of interest arising from his ongoing corruption trial

By Jeremy Sharon

Israelis protest against the government's planned judicial overhaul in Haifa, March 27, 2023. (Shir Torem/Flash90)

March 28, 2023, 6:20 am

US lauds pause on judicial overhaul, blasts bills Netanyahu has been seeking to pass

Biden administration reiterates call for parties to strike compromise, as PM slated to address State Department confab on democracy to which Hungary and Turkey didn’t get an invite

By Jacob Magid

President Isaac Herzog at the annual Jerusalem Conference of the 'Besheva' group in Jerusalem, on February 21, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

March 28, 2023, 4:58 am

Herzog phones PM, Gantz, Lapid to launch talks on compromise after overhaul paused

President urges party leaders to establish negotiating teams for sessions at his residence; Gantz quickly answers call, reaches out to Netanyahu to thank him for halting overhaul

By ToI Staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the nation, March 27, 2023. (GPO Screenshot)

March 27, 2023, 10:47 pm

Netanyahu says he’s delaying overhaul to allow dialogue, but vows reform will happen

PM says he’s pausing judicial revamp to avoid ‘civil war,’ asserts ‘extreme minority tearing Israel to shreds’; opposition heads offer wary approval for talks, warn against bluff

By Jeremy Sharon

Prof. Gábor Halmai, a constitutional scholar from the Robert Schuman Centre of Advanced Studies at European University Institute, speaks at a conference held by the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem, March 26, 2023. (Oded Karni)

March 27, 2023, 10:37 am

Legal scholars from Poland, Hungary warn of judicial overhaul’s dangers to democracy

At IDI event, experts say ‘constitutional capture’ in their countries began with ‘dismantlement of judicial independence’; ex-Irish justice minister urges halt to ‘regressive’ push

By Jeremy Sharon

File: Supreme Court President Esther Hayut (left), with then-minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked and then-finance minister Moshe Kahlon at a meeting of the Judicial Selection Committee, at the Ministry of Justice in Jerusalem, on February 22, 2018. (Hadas Parush/Flash 90)

March 24, 2023, 9:00 am

Would the High Court dare strike down the coalition’s judicial appointments law?

Opponents of the legislation argue it violates key principles underpinning Israel’s democratic character, opening the window for the High Court to invalidate the law

By Jeremy Sharon

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman MK Simcha Rothman hold a press conference in the Knesset, March 21, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

March 21, 2023, 11:14 pm

Smotrich: We’re listening to critics but our law to choose judges will pass next week

Finance minister says coalition seeking dialogue but has mandate to carry out comprehensive judicial reform; Lapid: They’re destroying democracy; Gantz denounces hypocrisy

By Jeremy Sharon

Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman MK Simcha Rothman heads a committee hearing, March 19, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

March 21, 2023, 6:21 am

Changes to judicial overhaul leave just 10 days to re-do constitutional framework

A new draft for the overhaul of the judicial appointments process leaves the Knesset with less than two weeks to re-draw a critical pillar of Israel’s constitution arrangements

By Jeremy Sharon

Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman MK Simcha Rothman heads a committee hearing, March 20, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

March 21, 2023, 12:47 am

Ostensibly softened, Rothman bill gives coalition broad control over choice of judges

According to tweaked draft, coalition would choose the justices to fill the first two Supreme Court openings in its tenure, gain full authority over lower court appointments

By Jeremy Sharon