Basic Law

Shas spiritual leader orders support for coalition legislation in exchange for haredi-backed bills

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef warned there was “no room for delay” on the Torah Study Law amid coalition efforts to advance contentious legislation.

JULY 7, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV

Ultra orthodox Jewish reserve soldiers of the IDF's Hasmonean Brigade operate in the Gaza Strip on June 26, 2025.

It’s about time that Torah study counted for something - opinion

That same Torah which gives us our claim to the land also commands us to study it day and night – and our tradition holds that this study is itself a form of national defense.

JULY 7, 2026|ByELIYAHU HADDAD

MKS ATTEND a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on June 16, 2026.

The hidden economic danger in the Basic Law on Torah Study

Another significant dimension has received almost no attention: the possibility that the law will alter Israel’s national priorities and damage the growth engines on which the Israeli economy depends

JULY 7, 2026|ByDAPHNA AVIRAM-NITZAN

Combat veterans suffering from PTSD attends a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, July 7, 2026.

'Little girls with microphones': IDF veteran slams MKs during Basic Law: Torah Study cm'tee meeting

“It's a crime what you're doing to them - all of you here. If I gave each and every one of you the footage from my GoPro of the bodies, you wouldn't sleep at night," the veteran told the committee.

JULY 7, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV, SHIR PERETS

Does Israel really need judicial reform? 5 better ways to fix judiciary

5 other ideas for upgrading Israel's judicial system – without destroying democracy, doing away with the mechanisms for oversight of the government or harming our basic rights.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023BySUZIE NAVOT

Israel's Justice Minister Yariv Levin holds a press conference at the Knesset, the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem, on January 4, 2023.

Is judicial reform dangerous for Israeli democracy?

What is being proposed as part of the Israeli government's judicial reform plan and how does it stack up to the US?

FEBRUARY 10, 2023ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN

A view of Israel’s Supreme Court justices during a hearing.

Judicial reform: Israel must weaken the court to let rule of law prevail

As Israel’s legislators work to rein in the Supreme Court’s near absolute power, they should create a constitution and Bill of Rights to ensure the rule of law.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023ByNATASHA SRDOC, JOEL ANAND SAMY

Israelis protest against the government’s proposed judicial reforms in Tel Aviv on February 4.

Labor presents mock bill to place Arye Deri 'above Israeli law'

The proposed bill would edit the Basic Law - the Government to state that Deri could not be tried for theft, corruption or tax offenses.

FEBRUARY 9, 2023ByTZVI JOFFRE

ARYE DERI gives the thumbs-up sign on Wednesday outside his Har Nof home in Jerusalem.

Israeli judicial reform bill will split into two, Yariv Levin confirms

The coalition will likely first focus on changing the makeup of the judicial appointments committee and limiting the High Court of Justice's power to strike down laws, according to a report.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023ByELIAV BREUER

Judicial reform change offers concession – here’s why critics rejected it

Former justice minister Gideon Sa'ar rejected the change, saying that "there is no fundamental change in MK Rothman's 'new' proposal.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023ByMICHAEL STARR

MK Simcha Rothman, Head of the Constitution Committee leads a committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on January 17, 2023.

Basic Law for basic laws: Solving Israel's judicial reform dispute - opinion

Such a plan to solve the judicial crisis seizes the moral high ground by creating a system that is not only just but simple and stable.

FEBRUARY 6, 2023ByMICHAEL SEGAL

OPPOSITION LEADER Yair Lapid has proposed that President Isaac Herzog set up a commission to examine the matter of judicial reform.

MKs clash over judge selection in law committee session

Committee chairman Simcha Rothman introduced an analysis that compared judicial review in other countries.

JANUARY 30, 2023ByMICHAEL STARR

MK Simcha Rothman attends a committee meeting at the Knesset, January 17, 2023.

Gov't aims to reappoint disgraced Deri by amending Basic Law

The accompanying text that explains the law argues that the appointment and removal of ministers are at the "heart of democratic activity."

JANUARY 30, 2023ByELIAV BREUER

Shas leader MK Aryeh Deri and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen during a Shas party meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 23, 2023.

Gantz to Netanyahu: Form multi-party committee to debate judicial reform

Gantz's proposal came after Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced his plan for legal reform on Wednesday evening.

JANUARY 5, 2023ByELIAV BREUER