Basic Law

Netanyahu’s haredi gamble may become his biggest election liability - analysis

Years of concessions to haredi partners may now pose a political risk for Netanyahu, as right-wing voters express growing anger over the draft exemption issue.

PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu is seen walking past haredi lawmaker Yitzhak Goldknopf, at the Prime Minister’s Office in 2023.
 NETZAH YEHUDA soldiers at the dedication of a Torah scroll at the Erez Crossing.

Israel just gave Torah study a constitution. It should have given its soldiers one - opinion

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a vote at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 16, 2026.

Thank goodness: The 25th Knesset has ended its days - opinion

A plenum session and a vote on a bill to freeze arrests of haredi draft evaders at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 14, 2026.

Israel's government knew the risks of haredi draft evasion – and ignored them - opinion


Israeli courts keep politics balanced - opinion

When you look past the dramatic decision to strike down a Basic Law, the ruling makes a clear and unprecedented statement about the limits of Knesset power.

 THE JUSTICES hold a High Court hearing on petitions against the reasonableness standard law, in September.

High Court votes to delay implementation of Basic Law amendment

Six out of 11 judges voted to delay the implementation.

 Hearing at the High Court of Nazareth, the Supreme Court, September 28, 2023

Weirdly, there’s nothing special about Israel’s Basic Laws - opinion

You want a judicial reform? Change the ridiculous Basic Laws setup to require a supermajority to pass and amend them.

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Unity leader MK Benny Gantz are seen moving to shake hands in the Knesset amid the vote on the controversial reasonableness standard bill, in Jerusalem, on Monday, July 24, 2023.

Why did court make reasonableness standard decision in wartime? - comment

When every day soldiers are dying and fighting side by side – Rightists and Leftists, secular and religious – the last thing the country needs is a reignition of old divisions.

Supreme Court Judge Uzi Vogelman

Why is the court striking down the reasonableness law now? - analysis

The High Court struck down a basic law for the first time, essentially killing the main achievement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposed 2023 judicial reform.

 Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a vote on the reasonableness bill at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on July 24, 2023.

The judicial reform is a wholesale uprooting of the judiciary's power - opinion

This specific amendment is not a limitation placed upon the judiciary’s power of review over acts of the executive. It is indeed the uprooting of this power.

The writer wonders whether all the High Court justices themselves understand the severity of the reasonableness standard amendment.

'Veil of ignorance': Israel's A-G attacks Netanyahu's protection law

"The amendment to the Basic Law was made... with the aim of influencing [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's] pending legal proceeding."

 (L-R) Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Knesset speaker calls to replace High Court if reasonableness law struck down

Knesset speaker Amir Ohana has suggested swapping the High Court with a "constitutional court."

 Knesset speaker Amir Ohana holds a press conference at the Knesset in Jerusalem. September 6, 2023.

Will the High Court strike down the reasonableness law? - analysis

The reasonableness law was an amendment to a basic law, which the court believes requires a high threshold for the court to nullify.

 MK Simcha Rothman seen at the High Court hearing of the government's judicial reform reasonableness bill on September 12, 2023

A-G's office argues High Court can strike down basic law

Basic laws lack clear boundaries as the Knesset has failed to pass Basic Law: Legislation to establish the rules for the articles.

 Attorney Aner Helman with Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon at a court hearing on petitions against the government's "Reasonableness Standard Bill", at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem. September 12, 2023.