Basic Law

Ministerial committee approves Torah Study bill amid coalition tensions

Netanyahu’s coalition advances the Torah Study law, despite opposition and warnings that the bill could worsen draft evasion amid Israel’s manpower shortage.

Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri seen during a Shas party meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 23, 2023.
SHAS PARTY leader Arye Deri visits military prison expressing support for draft evaders, Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Deri says Shas supports draft evaders during prison visit, calls to add Torah study to Basic Law

A VOTE on the death penalty for terrorists who murder Israeli civilians at the auditorium in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, March 30, 2026.

Israel's new death penalty law marks moral break, sparks discrimination fears, expert says

Matanyahu Englman

Chaos of October 7: What any inquiry must uncover - opinion


Lapid calls to write Israeli constitution in response to judicial reform

The Declaration of Independence has no formal legal status in the Israeli government system, which Lapid proposed should be changed by making the document the first chapter of a new constitution.

Israel's Declaration of Independence

Judicial reform bills to be sent to Knesset in two committee votes on Sunday

In a move that surprised and angered coalition committee members, committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman had decided to hold the revision vote on Sunday.

  OPPOSITION MKS wrap themselves in Israeli flags during the Knesset vote on judicial reform on Monday night.

Simcha Rothman: Everyone understands there is a need for judicial reform

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: Constitution Law and Justice Committee chair Simcha Rothman is confident that judicial reform will lead to true democracy for Israel.

The man transforming the judicial system: Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chairman Simcha Rothman

'Deri Law,' 'Override Law' pass preliminary reading on Knesset floor

Parliament okays a number of controversial laws in voting marathon

 ARYE DERI, head of the Shas Party, leads a faction meeting in the Knesset this week.

Will Israeli judicial reform lead to renewed constitutional process? – analysis

The current crisis comes in great part from what some in the pro-reform camp perceive as a unilateral cobbling of a virtual constitution in which the High Court seized far too much power for itself.

 Opposition leader Yair Lapid seen during a plenum session in the assembly hall of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, on February 15, 2023.

What do pro- and anti-reform legal experts think of Isaac Herzog’s proposal?

Herzog also proposed administrative changes to the judicial system, which were not quite items of contention in the reform debate.

 President Isaac Herzog speaks on Israel's judicial reform on February 12, 2023

Judicial reform first vote Monday, MKs weigh security impact

The first reading vote would be on legislation that would alter the composition of the judge selection committee.

 A view of Israel’s Supreme Court justices during a hearing.

Judicial reform would weaken Israel's 'crown jewel' courts - Irwin Cotler

Given his expertise, Irwin Cotler has been called upon in recent weeks to comment on Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s proposed judicial reforms, bringing his life and career back into the limelight. 

 Prof. Irwin Cotler

Does Israel really need judicial reform? 5 better ways to fix judiciary

5 other ideas for upgrading Israel's judicial system – without destroying democracy, doing away with the mechanisms for oversight of the government or harming our basic rights.

 Israel's Justice Minister Yariv Levin holds a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem, on January 4, 2023.

Is judicial reform dangerous for Israeli democracy?

What is being proposed as part of the Israeli government's judicial reform plan and how does it stack up to the US?

 A view of Israel’s Supreme Court justices during a hearing.