Aug. 3 (UPI) — The Israeli High Court of Justice on Thursday heard petitions against a law the conservative Knesset passed that prevents the court from removing a sitting prime minister in a move that appears to protect Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s hard-right coalition implemented the law, which changed the conditions for declaring a leader unfit for office to state that only the government and Knesset have the authority to remove a sitting prime minister and only on medical grounds. Even then, the removal would require the approval of 75% of cabinet members and 80 of the 120 members in parliament.
Although it had never been used, the High Court previously held the ability to order a prime minister to leave office.
Eliad Shraga, leader of the Movement for Quality Government organization, argued in front of the High Court that the law was merely supported and passed in the Knesset to protect Netanyahu amid his legal troubles and efforts to further weaken the High Court and has little to do with the court abusing its power.
Netanyahu faces corruption charges in an Israel court as his government continued to make judicial reforms that opponents say weaken the judicial system’s independence.
Judicial reforms taken on by Netanyahu’s conservative bloc have sparked widespread protests around the country. Last month, Knesset passed the law that limited the judicial reach in overturning appointments and some decisions.
Some military reservists said they would not serve if the law was passed, possibly jeopardizing national security.
A High Court decision against the law would mark the first time the body had shot down a Basic Law amendment.
Netanyahu supporters decried the hearing Thursday.
“We don’t need to respect the High Court decision, just like it doesn’t respect the Knesset’s decision,” said Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, adding that the High Court’s hearing was “obviously illegal.”
