'Increase the prestige of the court and Knesset.' Friedmann
Photo: Haim Tzach
Justice minister initiates bill to bar High Court from annulling laws
Bill would require that laws in question be sent back to the Knesset, which will decide whether to amend the laws or annul them entirely. Meretz MK objects to intiative: The authority to annul discriminating political laws that violate human rights must remain in the hands of the High Court
Recently appointed Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann said Sunday he would instruct his office to draft a law proposal that would revoke the High Court of Justice’s authorization to annul laws.
The bill would require that the laws in question be sent back to the Knesset, which would decide on whether to amend the laws or annul them entirely.
Critical of Judicial System
Amnon Meranda
New justice minister sworn in Wednesday. Some MKs oppose appointment because of Friedmann's criticisms of judicial system
Friedmann said the initiative would grant legitimacy to the High Court and increase the prestige of the court and Knesset.
During Sunday’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting, Israel Our Home MK Esterina Tartman proposed to revoke the High Court’s authority to annul laws, while Labor’s Ophir Pines-Paz suggested that only a nine-judge panel would be authorized to do so.
'Knesset can't be counted on'
Friedmann asked that the committee reconvene next week to discuss the matter further.
However, it seemed that many Knesset members weren’t thrilled to be handed the added responsibility.
“It is naïve to think that the Knesset can be counted on. The authority to annul the Knesset’s discriminating political laws that violate human rights must remain in the hands of the High Court,” Meretz MK Zahava Gal-On said. “This initiative will cause irreparable damage if approved.”
Kadima Minister Meir Sheetrit said, “The High Court is our last remaining temple, and we must not harm it.”
