Israeli Ministers Propose Judicial Reform Plan

Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar have proposed a 'historic' compromise on judicial reform, aiming to reshape the Judicial Selection Committee, which has been a contentious issue since the government's initial reform efforts were shelved after the October 7, 2023 terror attack. The new framework changes the committee's composition from two Bar Association attorneys to two politically appointed lawyers, one from the coalition and one from the opposition, and mandates that judicial appointments require a majority of five votes, including support from both sides. Critics argue that this could lead to political interference in judicial appointments, as decisions will now require bipartisan agreement, which may also lead to potential paralysis in the selection process. Levin has issued an ultimatum to appoint new judges by January 16, 2024, amidst ongoing tensions with the judiciary. While the proposal aims to balance influence between political factions, it remains unclear whether it will produce qualified judges or merely facilitate compromise candidates. The opposition has not been involved in the discussions, raising concerns about the legitimacy and inclusiveness of the proposal.