The European Union (EU) shares concerns with protesters about judicial oversight, an EU official said on Tuesday, after the Knesset passed part of the government’s judicial reform.
“The EU takes note of the vote on the reasonableness bill,” the official said. “Similarly to the thousands of demonstrators, the EU is concerned that this bill would limit the Supreme Court’s ability to conduct judicial reviews of government decisions and thus weaken its role and judicial oversight.”
Brussels expressed hope for a compromise between political parties on the matter.
“EU-Israel relations are based on shared values, such as democracy, rule of law, including an independent judiciary, and human rights. It is important that these values are preserved,” the official stated.
The UK Foreign Office also weighed in, saying that “while Israel’s exact constitutional arrangements are a matter for Israelis, we urge the Israeli government to build consensus and avoid division, ensuring that a robust system of checks and balances and the independence of Israel’s judiciary are preserved.”
The רreactions came a day after the Knesset voted 64-0 to stop the courts from declaring executive decisions by elected officials in government to be “unreasonable.” The opposition boycotted the final vote.
Former US Vice President Mike Pence is interviewed by Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, in front of an audience at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, US, October 19, 2022 (credit: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS)The White House called the outcome “unfortunate,” on Monday, noting US President Joe Biden’s view “that major changes in a democracy to be enduring must have as broad a consensus as possible.”
Democrats in Congress also came out against the reform.
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland tweeted: “This premeditated right-wing hit on judicial review in Israel is a profound disappointment in the wake of President Herzog’s fine speech in Congress last week—and a setback to liberal democracy on earth. I will always stand strong with the hundreds of thousands of Israelis marching for a strong democratic Israel which upholds the spirit of freedom, human rights, and equal justice under reasoned law.”
Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois said that he is “deeply saddened and profoundly concerned by the decision of the coalition government in Israel to unilaterally move forward with dramatic and controversial changes to its judicial system… While the US commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad, the actions of the current government will undoubtedly strain Israel’s critical relationships with the Diaspora Jewish community and the nations in which they all live.”
“As a pro-Israel Jew,” Rep. Dan Goldman of New York tweeted, “I am deeply disappointed to see the passage of the first step of the anti-democratic judicial overhaul plan. Israel’s government should heed the voice of its citizens, aim to find consensus, and reaffirm a commitment to the checks and balances of democracy.”
Republican politicians comment on the reforms
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), however, said that “Joe Biden’s meddling in Israel’s internal politics is unprecedented and inappropriate. He has no business telling one of our most important allies how to govern their own country.”
Former vice president Mike Pence, who is running in the Republican presidential primary, told the conservative Hugh Hewitt show that “this preoccupation of Democrats, which literally goes back decades, of trying to micromanage what’s happening in the domestic politics in Israel is wrongheaded. It undermines a clear message to one of the most dangerous parts of the world of our commitment to our most cherished ally. I reject it categorically.”
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