Basic Law

Is Israel too polarized for a constitution? That’s why we need one - opinion

Today, however, we are more divided than ever. We struggle to agree on almost anything, certainly not on our fundamental values. However, polarization is precisely why we cannot wait.

|ByKEREN WEINSHALL-MARGEL
THE KNESSET plenum meets this week. Israel’s rules of the game are not anchored in a constitution and can be changed by a simple Knesset majority, the writer notes.
Rabbi Meir Kahane at a New York news conference, Aug. 31, 1984.

Under Netanyahu, Meir Kahane’s doctrine has contaminated Likud - opinion

The Left convinced themselves and others that the gun tucked into Arafat's belt would no longer be used for killing, that he now carried an olive branch, and that he had abandoned his grand vision...

|ByAVINADAV BEGIN
Opposition members of Israel's Knesset leave during a preliminary vote to establish a political commission of inquiry, December 24, 2025; Illustrative.

Knesset to High Court: Judicial-selection overhaul does not justify striking down Basic Law

Under the current system, the committee includes three Supreme Court justices, two ministers, two MKs, and two representatives of the Israel Bar Association.

|BySARAH BEN-NUN
PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu is seen walking past haredi lawmaker Yitzhak Goldknopf, at the Prime Minister’s Office in 2023.

Netanyahu’s haredi gamble may become his biggest election liability - analysis

Years of concessions to haredi partners may now pose a political risk for Netanyahu, as right-wing voters express growing anger over the draft exemption issue.

|ByHERB KEINON

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.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023BySUZIE NAVOT
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?

FEBRUARY 10, 2023ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
A view of Israel’s Supreme Court justices during a hearing.

Judicial reform: Israel must weaken the court to let rule of law prevail

As Israel’s legislators work to rein in the Supreme Court’s near absolute power, they should create a constitution and Bill of Rights to ensure the rule of law.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023ByNATASHA SRDOC, JOEL ANAND SAMY
Israelis protest against the government’s proposed judicial reforms in Tel Aviv on February 4.

Labor presents mock bill to place Arye Deri 'above Israeli law'

The proposed bill would edit the Basic Law - the Government to state that Deri could not be tried for theft, corruption or tax offenses.

FEBRUARY 9, 2023ByTZVI JOFFRE
ARYE DERI gives the thumbs-up sign on Wednesday outside his Har Nof home in Jerusalem.

Israeli judicial reform bill will split into two, Yariv Levin confirms

The coalition will likely first focus on changing the makeup of the judicial appointments committee and limiting the High Court of Justice's power to strike down laws, according to a report.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023ByELIAV BREUER
Israel's Justice Minister Yariv Levin holds a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem, on January 4, 2023.

Judicial reform change offers concession – here’s why critics rejected it

Former justice minister Gideon Sa'ar rejected the change, saying that "there is no fundamental change in MK Rothman's 'new' proposal.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023ByMICHAEL STARR
MK Simcha Rothman, Head of the Constitution Committee leads a committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on January 17, 2023.

Basic Law for basic laws: Solving Israel's judicial reform dispute - opinion

Such a plan to solve the judicial crisis seizes the moral high ground by creating a system that is not only just but simple and stable.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023ByMICHAEL SEGAL
OPPOSITION LEADER Yair Lapid has proposed that President Isaac Herzog set up a commission to examine the matter of judicial reform.

MKs clash over judge selection in law committee session

Committee chairman Simcha Rothman introduced an analysis that compared judicial review in other countries.

JANUARY 30, 2023ByMICHAEL STARR
MK Simcha Rothman attends a committee meeting at the Knesset, January 17, 2023.

Gov't aims to reappoint disgraced Deri by amending Basic Law

The accompanying text that explains the law argues that the appointment and removal of ministers are at the "heart of democratic activity."

JANUARY 30, 2023ByELIAV BREUER
Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a Shas party meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 23, 2023.

Gantz to Netanyahu: Form multi-party committee to debate judicial reform

Gantz's proposal came after Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced his plan for legal reform on Wednesday evening.

JANUARY 5, 2023ByELIAV BREUER
If he only knew then. Benny Gantz and Benjamin Netanyahu sign their coalition agreement on April 20 in Jerusalem.