Israel's top court overturns key part of controversial judicial overhaul

JERUSALEM -- Israel's Supreme Court on Monday struck down an amendment to a basic law that was a key part of a contentious judicial reform pushed by the government.

By a slim margin of eight to seven, the 15-seat court nullified a basic law amendment passed by the parliament in July 2023 that prevented judges from using a specific legal criterion to challenge government ministers' decisions.

The judicial reform, announced a year ago, sparked widespread protests across Israel, with critics saying it would undermine democracy and enable government corruption and cronyism.

Several groups and individuals challenged the amendment in the Supreme Court, arguing that it was unconstitutional and would give the government and parliament unchecked powers while weakening the judiciary and discriminating against minorities.

Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who spearheaded the reform, said the court's ruling was a power grab that "took away from millions of citizens their voice and the basic right to be equal partners in decision-making."