Simcha Rothman

Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a court hearing in his trial at the Jerusalem District Court on May 31, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)

Netanyahu allies claim doubts over bribery charge prove need to overhaul judiciary

After judges in Netanyahu trial reportedly warn prosecutors over weakness of accusation, politicians say it shows dangers of allowing a state body to act without oversight

MK Simcha Rothman leads a Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee discussion, June 25, 2023 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 25, 2023, 4:50 pm

Knesset restarts judicial overhaul with bill to broadly outlaw ‘reasonableness’ test

Rothman says nixing court review of decisions by elected officials is ‘democratic;’ legal adviser warns bill is ‘too broad’ and opposition says it’s a pathway to ‘corruption’

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

(L) MK Simcha Rotman at the Knesset on June 20, 2023 (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90) () Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset on May 15, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90) and (R) Justice Minister Yariv Levin at a cabinet in Jerusalem on May 28, 2023 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 25, 2023, 8:44 am

Knesset committee to advance ‘reasonableness’ bill, limiting judicial review

Panel headed by far-right MK Rothman will discuss curtailing court’s ability to invalidate decisions made by PM, ministers, cabinet, elected officials

By ToI Staff

June 23, 2023, 11:30 pm

Netanyahu allies claim doubts over bribery charge prove need to overhaul judiciary

After judges in Netanyahu trial reportedly warn prosecutors over weakness of accusation, politicians say it shows dangers of allowing a state body to act without oversight

By ToI Staff

A field of fire during clashes between Palestinians and settlers near the Palestinian village of Qusra in the West Bank on June 22, 2023. (Flash90)

June 22, 2023, 8:19 pm

IDF spokesman slams settler riots that ‘create terror’; far-right MK: It was a protest

MK Simcha Rothman compares rioters in Turmus Ayya to demonstrators against judicial overhaul

By ToI Staff

MK Simcha Rothman, head of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, seen during a committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on May 29, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 20, 2023, 4:56 pm

Rothman readies bill to greatly limit judicial review for Knesset committee hearing

Amendment to Basic Law barring the use of ‘reasonableness’ expected to come before panel next week; MK Gideon Sa’ar calls wording ‘very, very extreme and very, very dangerous’

By Jeremy Sharon

Israelis protest against the government's planned judicial overhaul, outside PM Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, on May 25, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 20, 2023, 1:35 am

US says overhaul consensus crucial as Netanyahu coalition unilaterally restarts push

White House reiterates importance of ‘broadest possible base of popular support’ for judicial reforms as bill shackling court on ‘reasonableness’ doctrine heads to committee

By Jacob Magid and Carrie Keller-Lynn

Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman leaving the Hebrew Book Week Fair amid anti-judicial overhaul protests at Sarona Market, Tel Aviv, June 18, 2023. (Twitter video screenshot: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

June 19, 2023, 12:13 am

Protesters disrupt judicial overhaul architect’s visit to Tel Aviv book fair

Hecklers chant ‘democracy,’ ‘shame’ and ‘criminal’ at MK Simcha Rothman’s book signing; he retorts that ‘Haters of democracy are scared of books’

By Michael Horovitz

In this June 19, 2017, file photo, a person types on a laptop keyboard (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

June 13, 2023, 5:18 pm

Knesset passes motion urging government to probe police use of spyware

Non-binding measure says investigation should answer ‘a number of major questions’ over force’s alleged illicit hacking of citizens’ phones

By ToI Staff

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich leads a meeting of his Religious Zionism party at the Knesset in Jerusalem, May 1, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

June 13, 2023, 2:33 am

Embassy staffer in Paris accused of foiling Smotrich meetings with Jewish leaders

TV report says Foreign Ministry investigating claims diplomat told community figures to avoid far-right minister, or at least protest overhaul; Rothman: Recall envoy and fire staff

By ToI Staff

(R) Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in Jerusalem, May 17, 2023 (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90) and (L) US Vice President Kamala Harris on May 27, 2023, in West Point, New York (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

June 7, 2023, 11:29 am

FM on Kamala Harris: ‘Wouldn’t be able to name one overhaul clause that bothers her’

After US veep speaks up for independent judiciary at Israeli Embassy 75th bash, Eli Cohen says he believes she hasn’t read proposal, later stresses ‘deep respect’ for her and DC

By ToI Staff and Jacob Magid

Anti-overhaul activists demonstrate outside the Tel Aviv home of Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, June 6, 2023 (screenshot: Twitter)

June 6, 2023, 9:18 am

‘No compromise’: Anti-overhaul protesters rally outside Lapid’s home

‘Democracy! Democracy!’ and ‘We won’t allow a dictatorship,’ protesters chant, responding to reports of emerging agreements in talks

By ToI Staff

Hannah Rothman speaks to Channel 12 news from New York on June 4, 2023. (screen capture: Channel 12; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

June 5, 2023, 2:40 am

After megaphone tussle, Rothman’s wife says she felt ‘assaulted’ by NY hecklers

Hannah Rothman decries demonstrators’ insults, says male protesters made her uncomfortable, but cuts off interview when questioned about husband’s lack of ‘British composure’

By Canaan Lidor

Marchers including Israeli activists in the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York City, June 4, 2023. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)

June 5, 2023, 1:39 am

Flag-waving protesters lash coalition lawmakers as NY holds annual Israel parade

Slimmed-down contingent of government representatives heckled over plans to reorganize judiciary as tens of thousands march through Manhattan in yearly display of solidarity

By Luke Tress

Religious Zionism MK Simcha Rothman (C) scuffles with a protester in New York as he grabs her megaphone on June 2, 2023. (Screen capture: Used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

June 4, 2023, 2:33 am

Far-right judicial overhaul architect defends seizing protester’s megaphone in NYC

Simcha Rothman says he and his wife were attacked, says he took bullhorn ‘without touching’ protester; complaint against him closed by NY police

By Luke Tress and ToI Staff

Protesters rally against the Netanyahu government's planned judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv, on June 3, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

June 3, 2023, 11:58 pm

On 22nd week, anti-overhaul protests enjoy bump in turnout amid anger at police

Hundreds block main Tel Aviv highway after rally draws at least 95,000; thousands protest elsewhere; Ben Gvir backs cops for Friday crackdown, protesters retort: ‘We’re not afraid’

By Michael Bachner and ToI Staff