Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit opened Sunday's expanded High Court hearing on the judicial selection committee reform by stating the court has authority to review and invalidate Basic Laws, citing the reasonableness standard ruling as precedent. The 11-justice panel is hearing petitions against the Levin-Saar compromise law, which would remove Israel Bar Association representatives from the committee and eliminate the judges' veto over Supreme Court appointments, according to Israeli media.
Chief Justice Yitzhak Amit opened Sunday morning's expanded High Court hearing on petitions against the law amending the Judicial Selection Committee by asserting the court's authority to review and invalidate Basic Laws. Citing the 2024 reasonableness standard ruling as precedent, Amit stated: 'The court has jurisdiction to hear and invalidate Basic Laws, as demonstrated in the reasonableness standard judgment.'
The hearing, convened with an 11-justice panel, addresses the Levin-Saar compromise legislation that would remove Israel Bar Association representatives from the committee and eliminate the judges' veto over Supreme Court appointments. The law was passed by the Knesset and signed into law in April 2026. The current session follows the court's decision to hear the petitions with an expanded panel, as The Zioneer reported at 07:08.
Earlier today, the court initially convened with all 15 justices before narrowing the panel to 11 for this phase of arguments. The government argues that the Knesset has the authority to regulate judicial selection through Basic Laws, while petitioners contend the amendment fundamentally undermines judicial independence and separation of powers.
The hearing is ongoing. A ruling is not expected today.
3 developments
- DevelopingLevin demands immediate Knesset vote to strip High Court of authority over Basic Laws
- DevelopingCritic slams Chief Justice for unilateral Basic Law veto, calls democracy 'flawed'
- DevelopingMK Kastel slams High Court direction in judicial selection hearing as 'scandal'
- DevelopingSaar defends judicial selection reform as 'moderate,' warns radical changes will follow compromise rejection
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