In Israel, lawmakers negotiate possible judicial reform compromise

Justice Minister Yariv Levin's office expressed positivity toward a new judicial reform negotiation outline published [7 March] led by former justice minister Prof. Daniel Friedmann. [...] Levin and Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chairman Simcha Rothman met on [8 March] [with] some of the drafters of the outline[.] [...] The proposal would reformulate the system of checks and balances for the judge selection committee, judicial review, the reasonableness clause, the enacting of Basic Laws and the role of government legal advisors. [...] The judge selection committee, under the proposal, would have 4 members each from the coalition, opposition and judiciary. [...] Two justice candidates would be chosen each selection, one each from the opposition and coalition. The justice minister and High Court president would each have one veto each term. For lower court promotions, a judge would need the support of two coalition, two opposition, and three judge members of panel. [...] Israel's quasi-constitutional Basic Laws and amendments would require simple majority four reading votes under the Friedmann proposal, but laws changing the election system or those that received less than 70 votes would have its fourth reading the next Knesset. Basic Law amendments and bills on human rights would require three readings with a 70 MK majority. Like with the current reform bill, the Friedmann proposal would restrict the court from engaging in judicial review of Basic Laws. However, it deviates from the [pending reform that requires 80% High Court consensus to review ordinary legislation]. Instead, it is proposed that three-quarters of a bench in agreement be enough to strike a law.
Read the full article here: The Jerusalem Post