Israel's Supreme Court to rule on judicial law in constitutional showdown

Israel's Supreme Court said on Wednesday it would hear an appeal against a new law that curbs some of its own powers, pitting it against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government as it seeks an overhaul of the judicial system.

His coalition on Monday approved an amendment limiting the court's authority to void government and ministerial decisions by deeming them "unreasonable" in a parliamentary vote that was boycotted by the centre-left opposition and set off fresh protests across the country.

A bench decision posted on the court's website said a hearing will be set for the appeal in September. The court did not issue an injunction against the new law, which came into effect on Wednesday.

A political watchdog and Israel's bar association had petitioned the court to intervene.

The new law is part of broader judicial overhaul the government announced in January, soon after being sworn in.

The Netanyahu-led government claims the overhaul is needed to push back against what it describes as overreach by a Supreme Court that it says has become too politically interventionist. Critics say the changes will open the door to corruption and abuses of power by removing effective checks on the governing executive's authority.

The planned changes have caused a deep divide in Israeli society, igniting months of unprecedented nationwide protests and stirring concern among allies abroad.

(Reuters)