Israel’s Judicial Reform Debate: An Essential Case Study for Democracy and Judicial Independence

Yaron Katz
Holon Institute of Technology, Israel
DOI – http://doi.org/10.37502/IJSMR.2025.8504

Abstract

The manuscript focuses on the extreme debate in Israel regarding the government’s proposal to diminish the authority of the Supreme Court in reviewing legislation and government decisions. Israel stands out as one of the few nations globally lacking a formal constitution, and the ascension of judicial power has occurred in the absence of substantial constitutional safeguards for judicial independence in constitutional law. The Supreme Court employed Basic Laws concerning human rights as a foundation for a comprehensive Bill of Rights. However, the right-wing government seeks to limit the Supreme Court’s authority, with opponents contending that the entire plan constitutes a ‘constitutional revolution’ that jeopardizes Israel’s democratic character. The primary inquiry revolves around how public trust is best realized — whether electing a government in a free election should take precedence or public opinion should be prominent in enforcing a consensus policy. Currently, this debate is on hold due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, but it is anticipated that discussions will resume once the immediate crisis has subsided.

Keywords: judicial reform, election, democracy, legal system, constitution

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