Israel's New Law Shifts Power Over Judge Appointments to Politicians

Israel’s parliament passed a controversial law on Thursday that alters the process of appointing judges, shifting more power to politicians and deepening divisions over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul efforts.

The new legislation is the centerpiece of Netanyahu’s long-debated judicial reforms, which sparked massive protests when first introduced in 2023. Demonstrations have reignited in recent weeks as Netanyahu’s government pushes forward with the changes. Critics argue that the overhaul threatens the independence of Israel’s judiciary. Netanyahu's supporters are of the view that it is necessary to stop judicial overreach. 

Here is What You Need to Know

In Israel’s parliamentary system, where the executive and legislative branches are closely intertwined, the judiciary serves as the primary check on government power. Netanyahu and many in Israel believe that the courts are biased against him. His opponents argue that, as he faces corruption charges in an ongoing trial, he is attempting to weaken judicial oversight for his own benefit.

Parliament Passes the Law After Opposition Boycott

The law passed by a vote of 67-0 following a 17-hour filibuster by opposition lawmakers, who ultimately boycotted the final vote in protest.

The move follows a series of controversial government actions, including Netanyahu’s recent firing of the head of Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency, who had been investigating two of the prime minister’s close aides. His government is also moving toward removing the attorney general.

The renewed push for judicial changes has coincided with the resumption of the war in Gaza and the breakdown of hostage negotiations, leading to the largest wave of anti-Netanyahu demonstrations since the October 7 attacks.

A Shift in Judicial Appointments

Before the new law, judges were appointed by a committee that included:

Three members of the governing coalition

One opposition lawmaker

Two legal experts from Israel’s bar association

Three members of the Supreme Court

Under the new system:

The two legal experts will be replaced with one lawyer selected by the government and one selected by the opposition.

This change gives political appointees a clear majority on the committee, allowing appointments to be shaped through political deals.

If a deadlock over a Supreme Court appointment lasts for more than a year, representatives from both the coalition and opposition will exchange candidate lists to choose from. 

A Quick Look at the US Factor 

The judicial overhaul had been on hold for more than a year, partly due to pressure from the Biden administration. However, Netanyahu’s coalition renewed its push for the reforms after President Trump’s election victory, seeing an opportunity to advance its agenda.

If political instability deepens, it could complicate U.S. efforts to pursue broader regional policies involving Israel.

While the law has been passed, it will not take effect until after the next elections in 2026. Opposition parties have vowed to repeal the law if they win power in the next election, setting the stage for further political battles over the future of Israel’s judiciary.