_a.jpg "צילום: ירון ברנר")
Friedmann. Outraged
Photo: Yaron Brener
Justice Committee defers decision on restricting High Court's authority
Knesset's Constitution, Law, Justice Committee decides to delay ruling on justice minister's motion to restrict High Court's judicial authority. 'Even Supreme Court has to answer to someone,' says Friedmann
The Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee decided Sunday to delay its decision regarding Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann's motion to restrict the judicial authority of the High Court in matters concerning the annulment of bills passed by the Knesset, opting instead to delay its decision by two weeks, in order to study the matter further.
According to Friedmann's motion, the Knesset would be able to hold another vote on any bill rejected by the High Court, and sanction it regardless of the court's ruling.
Any bill passed in such a vote would be valid for five years, in which time, should the court decide to annul it again, the Knesset would be able to vote on the matter again, and so on and so forth.
Friedmann was outraged by reports suggesting Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish had spoken with members of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee prior to their decision on the matter, saying "the Supreme Court is interfering in the legislative process… it's like the courts are above everything and don't answer to anyone.
"The Knesset is curbed by the High Court… even the High Court has to have some checks and balances. My motion simply suggests the Knesset has the final say," said Friedmann.
