Netanyahu. Objects to bill
Photo: Gil Yohanan
PM opposes bill limiting High Court petitions
Netanyahu says he'll vote against legislation aimed at restricting leftist organizations' ability to petition High Court of Justice. MK Levin: Bill to put an end to foreign intervention in State's affairs
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said that he will oppose a bill aimed at limiting the ability of groups and foundations to petition the High Court of Justice.
The bill, initiated by Likud Knesset members Yariv Levin and Danny Danon, is scheduled to be discussed at the Ministerial Committee on Legislative Affairs on Sunday.
Related stories:
- Libel bill stirs controversy in Knesset
Peres: Rightist bills harm democracy
Bill: Limit Left's High Court petitions
"I will oppose any law that would undermine the independence of Israel's court system," Netanyahu said.
The bill aims to limit public petitioners – foundations and groups who petition against the State – which are not the principle injured party in the case. Many claim that the bill attempts to restrict the activities of left-wing organizations.
The bill also stipulates that the public petitioner must be an organization that operates in Israel, in order to ensure that the petition has "a constitutional nature that applies to the public at large."
High Court of Justice (Archive picture: Gil Yohanan)
In addition, if the bill is approved, the petitioning party will be obliged to present a summary of the donations that it has received up to three years prior to the petition.
The bill comes on the heels of a series of controversial legislation initiatives, including a bill aiming to limit foreign donations to Israeli organizations, a bill proposing to increase taxation on foundations, as well as a bill proposing to amend the process by which Supreme Court judges are appointed.
The latest bill stirred a storm among leftist organizations, which claimed that the legislation "is the continuation of a de-legitimization campaign against them, which attempts to restrict the court's independence."
According to MK Levin, "The bill will put an end to the absurd situation in which foreign elements intervene in the affairs of the State of Israel and flood the legal system with petitions whose main goal is to weaken Israel from within."
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni slammed the bill, saying it "slams the court's door in the faces of Israeli citizens seeking justice.
"Whether the bill is approved or not – it represents the nationalist-extremist wave that has swept through the Likud and is weakening Israel and its values. We must put an end to this wave," she said.
Aviad Glickman contributed to this report
- Receive Ynetnews updates
directly to your desktop
