Watch - Knesset Judicial Reform Bills Pass First Vote

Watch the Knesset debates and first vote (of three readings) on the Judicial Reform proposal.

The Judicial Reform bills votes were held just after midnight on Monday night/Tuesday and both passed 63-47. The bills will eventually become amendments to the Basic Law: The Judiciary.

One bill changed the structure of the committee that selects Supreme Court judges, removing the overriding control of the selection committee from the Supreme Court justices and putting it into the hands of the elected representatives of the people. The other bill removed the ability of the Supreme Court to invalidate Basic Laws, which decades ago, former Supreme Court justice Aharon Barak declared had the authority of Constitutional laws.

Both bills now go back to the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee for further debate to prepare them for their second and third readings.