Jerusalem: The Knesset, Israel's national legislative body, officially dissolved on July 17 after completing a full four-year term for the first time since 1988. In the days leading to its dissolution, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government passed a series of controversial laws, aiming to consolidate power and secure support from ultra-Orthodox allies, sparking widespread debate and criticism.
According to TRTworld.com, this legislative blitz represents Netanyahu's strategic move to safeguard his political future amidst declining poll numbers ahead of the October elections. The newly enacted laws target the remaining checks on executive authority, protect ultra-Orthodox communities from mandatory military service, and adjust media regulations to favor pro-government outlets.
Israeli analysts have described these legislative maneuvers as attempts to fortify the right-wing alliance while undermining institutional checks and balances. Gokhan Batu, a Levant studies analyst at the Centre for Middle Eastern Studies in Ankara, highlighted the coalition's unified stance on judicial reform, particularly focusing on limiting the powers of the Supreme Court and the attorney general. Batu emphasized that the coalition's actions signify a larger clash between Netanyahu and the judiciary, effectively declaring a "war" on the judicial system.
The legislative measures include laws restricting the attorney general's authority, elevating Torah study to a foundational state value, temporarily halting the arrest of Haredi draft dodgers, and expanding political influence over broadcasting regulation. Batu noted the significant implications of these laws, especially concerning the attorney general's diminished role and the coalition's newfound control over appointments and dismissals in this office.
Israel's lack of a written constitution positions the Supreme Court as the key institutional check on executive power. Batu cautioned that weakening this check could have severe long-term consequences, damaging public trust in the judiciary's reliability and impartiality. He described Israel's trajectory as moving towards competitive authoritarianism, with the courts being the last significant obstacle.
Netanyahu's legislative spree, seen as a calculated effort to strengthen the right-wing and ultra-Orthodox alliance, comes against the backdrop of his ongoing trials. Opposition parties and legal experts have expressed serious concerns, warning that the absence of formal checks, such as a constitution or a two-chamber legislature, makes the attorney general's role crucial. The decision to halt arrests of Haredi draft-dodgers could also alienate non-Haredi voters, who continue to face military conscription.
Despite the controversy, Batu does not foresee these legislative actions dramatically influencing the election campaign's tone or outcome. Compared to the judicial reforms Netanyahu has pursued since early 2023, these recent measures are relatively limited in scope. Nonetheless, opposition voices continue to challenge the implications of Netanyahu's legislative blitz, underscoring the essential role of the attorney general in maintaining Israel's democratic framework.