Israel

Israel: Knesset Appoints Opposition Member to Judicial Committee

JUN 15 2023·Updated AUG 27

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Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Facts

The Israeli parliament on Wednesday dealt a blow to PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to reform the country’s judicial system, as an opposition member was elected as one of two representatives on the committee that appoints judges, despite his right-wing coalition controlling 64 of the Knesset's 120 seats.
Reuters
MK Karin Elharrar was appointed to the nine-member Judicial Selection Committee, which typically reserves one spot for the ruling coalition and another for the opposition, in a 58-56 vote. A repeat vote will be held within 30 days to select the Knesset's second member.
The Jerusalem Post
This comes as four undisclosed members of the coalition broke rank and cast secret ballots for Elharrar, after Netanyahu pushed to postpone the vote to a later date at the last minute.
Guardian
Under mounting pressure from nationalist parties to elect two members of the coalition, as well as from the US to not divert from tradition, the PM ordered the coalition candidates to withdraw and vote against the opposition candidate to ensure that no lawmaker was elected to the committee.
Axios
Meanwhile, coalition whip Ofir Katz on Thursday announced a series of sanctions against MK Tally Gotliv, who was overwhelmingly voted down after defying the coalition discipline.
The Times of Israel
Despite the victory of its candidate, the opposition has said it will not restore talks with Netanyahu about judicial reforms until the second vacancy is filled, prompting the PM to accuse them of trying “to blow up the dialogue.”
PBS NewsHour

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Left narrative

Benjamin Netanyahu has been dealt yet another blow, as the opposition appoints Karine Elharrar to the all-important Judicial Selection Committee. While the PM has been in serious trouble for quite some time, he is now losing influence even within his own right-wing nationalist party. Netanyahu’s attempt to topple Israel’s democracy has enlightened many as to his autocracy, and he is continuing to make blunders that will undermine his leadership.

Haaretz

Right narrative

It was always expected the opposition would do whatever it could to defeat PM Netanyahu and patriotic Israelis; however, it has now become clear that there are traitors within the Likud who hold a personal grudge against Netanyahu. It is really unfortunate that cowardly members of parliament would go behind the back of their leader to create chaos during such an important time in Israeli politics.

The Times of Israel