HaBayit HaYehudi representatives are reportedly demanding the new government agree to pass for legislation to curb the power of Israel’s High Court of Justice, which serves as the only check against the otherwise unrestrained power of the Knesset’s majority.
Above: Naftali Bennett, right; Ayelet Shaked, left
Creeping Closer Toward Fascism, Israeli Political Party Wants To Override And Neuter High Court, Appoint Judges Based On Religious Affiliation And Political Views
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
The right-wing Zionist Orthodox HaBayit HaYehudi Party headed by Economy, Religious Affairs and Diaspora Minister MK Naftali Bennett, is in coalition negotiations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party and Netanyahu tries to form his new government.
HaBayit HaYehudi representatives are reportedly demanding the new government agree to pass for legislation to curb the power of Israel’s High Court of Justice, which serves as the only check against the otherwise unrestrained power of the Knesset’s majority.
But Bennett, who often speaks and behaves like a fascist rather than a democrat, wants to neuter the High Court’s already limited power so that it would be almost impossible for it to stop the will of a Knesset majority – even if that majority was passing illegal laws or openly discriminating against minorities.
To do that, the new government would reportedly need to pass legislation that provides an exception to Israel’s Basic Law. Israel has no formal constitution because Orthodox and haredi parties have repeatedly blocked passage of one on the premise that the Torah – not any “manmade” document – is Israel’s only and true constitution. The Basic Law serves as Israel’s stand-in for a constitution and guarantees individual human dignity, freedom and personal rights, as well as granting the High Court its authority.
Bennett’s second-in-command, MK Ayelet Shaked, introduced a similar bill on behalf of Bennett’s party during the previous government. The ministerial committee made up of Netanyahu’s top ministers approved the bill, but Justice Minister Tzipi Livni – who later broke with Netanyahu completely – was able to block it before it came to a vote in Knesset.
Bennett wants to make passing that or a similarly worded bill part of any coalition agreement he signs with Netanyahu.
Bennett also reportedly believes the only real way to change the “left-wing” judicial system is by appointing right-wing and Orthodox judges and High Court justices, and his HaBayit HaYehudi Party is also demanding as part of any coalition agreement it signs to be given spots on the committee which appoints Israel’s judges.