Israeli Judicial Reform Bill Paves the Way for Further Oppression of Palestinians

By Yousuf Ali

According to Al Jazeera, a new law passed by the Israeli parliament has raised concerns about the potential entrenchment of “Jewish supremacy” and its impact on Palestinians. The law, part of the right-wing coalition’s judicial reform efforts, limits the powers of the Supreme Court, making it easier for the government to pursue policies serving its “far-right” agenda.

Ahmad Tibi, a Palestinian member of the Knesset, voiced his concerns about the law, stating that it “weakens and eliminates any form of supervision that the Supreme Court has over the decisions of the government.” He highlighted its significance in matters related to “official appointments and other major decisions” that directly affect Palestinian citizens.

Amjad Iraqi, a senior editor of +972 Magazine, emphasized the impact of appointments on Palestinians, stating that they affect “how much money they get” and how law enforcement agencies “pursue the vision of the far-right government.” He further explained that the law removes the potential for Palestinians to challenge these appointments “legally and administratively,” enabling the government to implement its policies more quickly.

The passage of the law has sparked widespread protests, with thousands of military reservists refusing to report for duty in opposition. Tariq Kenney-Shawa, a US policy fellow at Al-Shabaka, criticized the Israeli Supreme Court, stating that it has enabled extreme far-right policies instead of acting as a check on them.

Diana Buttu, a former legal adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), emphasized that the Israeli Supreme Court has never truly served Palestinians and has consistently upheld the occupation. She believes the government seeks to solidify its hold on the occupied territories through the judicial overhaul.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who leads the far-right Jewish Power party, declared that the recently passed law is just the beginning of their efforts. He stated, “There are many more laws we need to pass as part of the judicial overhaul,” as reported by The Times of Israel.

Despite the internal disputes within Israeli society, experts fear the reform could have far-reaching consequences. Mouin Rabbani, a Middle East analyst, warned that the crisis over the reforms could lead to “growing polarization” within Israeli society and its institutions, as reported by Al Jazeera.

In summary, Israel’s new judicial reform law has sparked concerns about “Jewish supremacy” and its impact on Palestinian rights. The law limits the Supreme Court’s power, allowing the government to pursue its far-right agenda more easily. The reforms have triggered mass protests, reflecting widespread apprehension over its potential ramifications.

According to BBC , the reform package, backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, faces opposition from watchdog groups and the centrist leader Yair Lapid, who plan to petition the Supreme Court to annul the law. Critics fear the reforms threaten Israeli democracy, while the government argues they are necessary to correct an imbalance of power.