The price tag for Amona: Likud to introduce bill to restrict High Court
The bill to be put forth by Likud seeks to restrict the ability of the High Court to hold hearings on controversial issues by forcing petitioners to demonstrate a personal stake in the issue being debated.
Likud MK Mickey Zohar stands behind the bill, which promises to bring about a harsh political and legal storm. However, the bill has the support of all coalition MKs and Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin, who will promote the bill in a ministerial committee in the coming weeks. However, it is still unclear what the position of Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked is on the matter.
The legislation is actually an amendment to the Basic Laws of Israel as related to the judiciary. Locus standi (standing) is a basic condition demanded of a person or organization when they appeal to court and requires them to have direct interest in the issue or injustice against which they are petitioning.
In recent years, standing has been expanded to give almost every person the right to petition the High Court on any subject. For example, left-wing organizations petitioned against West Bank outposts built on private Palestinian land, even in cases where the specific landowners were not identified.
The new legislation seeks to prevent the court from holding a hearing on an issue if the petitioner does not have personal connection defined as “direct damage or concern for direct damage to one’s private interests.”
If the legislation is successfully passed, controversial court rulings—such as the evacuation of Amona—may be avoided.
“There is no damage to the High Court here, but we want to rectify this absurd situation and strengthen the existing separation of powers,” said Likud youth chairman David Shayan.
According to MK Zohar, “Our bill will make it difficult for left-wing organizations to petition the High Court regarding the evacuation of settlements and make it difficult for the court to rule against settlers.”
