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The Israeli parliament on Monday passed a law stripping the Supreme Court of its power to block government decisions, the first part of a planned judicial overhaul that has sharply divided Israeli society and drawn fierce criticism from the White House.
The controversial bill passed by a vote of 64-0 in the Knesset. All members of the governing coalition voted in favor the bill, while all opposition lawmakers walked out of the chamber as the vote was taking place.
Huge crowds of angry protesters gathered outside, attempting to block access to the building. They were met with barbed wire and water cannons and at least 19 were arrested, according to Israel Police. Thousands of military reservists – including more than 1,100 Air Force officers – said even before the bill passed that they would refuse to volunteer for duty if it did.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he would file a petition with the Supreme Court on Tuesday to block the law and has urged the military reservists not to refuse to serve until the court delivers its ruling.
The so-called reasonableness law takes away the Supreme Court’s power to block government decisions by declaring them unreasonable. Its passing could trigger a constitutional crisis – if the court declares the law itself is unreasonable.
The Movement for Quality Government, an Israeli NGO, filed a petition with the Supreme Court immediately after the vote took place, asking the court to declare the law illegal on the grounds that it changes the basic structure of Israeli democracy, and requesting that it block its implementation until the court has ruled on it.
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Israeli security forces use a water cannon to disperse protesters blocking the entrance of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament in Jerusalem, on Monday, July 24.
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Protesters link arms as they attempt to block a road leading to the Knesset on July 24.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, speaks with Aryeh Deri, chairman of the ultra-Orthodox party Shas, during a Knesset session on July 24.
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Demonstrators wave a large Israeli flag during a protest outside the Knesset on July 24.
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Israeli police disperse protesters blocking the road leading to the Knesset on July 24. Protesters were met with water cannons, fences and barbed wire as they attempted to block access to the building.
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The Knesset meets in Jerusalem on July 24. A marathon debate started the day before and lasted until the following morning.
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People in Jerusalem protest against Netanyahu and the judicial overhaul on July 24.
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Protesters gather in a camp they set up near the Knesset building on Sunday, July 23.
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Demonstrators gather outside the Knesset on July 23.
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People in Tel Aviv, Israel, demonstrate against the judicial overhaul plan on Saturday, July 22.
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