AIJAC and ZFA react to the new legislation
Both the Zionist Federation of Australia and The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council have expressed misgivings over the passing of the Reasonableness Standard Law in Israel.
ZFA said the legislation was passed by the government amidst escalating social schisms within Israel, apparent from the countless Israelis on both sides of the debate who have demonstrated in public spaces.
The overwhelming majority of Diaspora Jews hold reservations regarding the ongoing push for judicial transformation without a middle ground, which has fuelled conflict within the IDF during a period of heightened danger to the Jewish nation, and has caused tension in the crucial bond between Israel and global Jewry.
ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said, “While there is clearly a legitimate case for judicial reform and a substantial number of Israelis believe in the need for certain modifications in Israel’s judiciary, alterations to the fundamental structures at the heart of Israel’s system of government should be embraced based on the widest conceivable agreement. Any proposed reforms should reflect a consensus position on Israel’s democratic principles of upholding checks and balances, safeguarding minority rights and conserving judicial autonomy. This is why we have consistently supported President Herzog’s initiatives aimed at consensus-building”.
Mr Leibler continued, “As we approach Tisha Be’av, a day on which we recall the destruction of the temples due to internal conflict and hatred, we continue to endorse President Herzog’s attempts to foster national conversation and urge the government and opposition to recommence negotiations under his leadership. We are deeply concerned about the long-term consequences of the divisions within Israeli society”.
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today expressed its profound concern about the passing of the judicial reform’s reasonableness bill in Israel’s Knesset overnight. The bill will prevent Israel’s Supreme Court overturning administrative decisions by the Government, the Prime Minister or ministers on the basis that they are unreasonable.
AIJAC Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein said, “It is disappointing that this controversial bill, which makes such fundamental changes to the very nature of Israel’s democracy, was passed in such a partisan, hasty and divisive manner.
“While there are valid arguments for the reasonableness doctrine to be codified and perhaps limited, as there may be to adopt other aspects of some of the proposed legal reforms, this should only be done through sincere, respectful negotiations, compromise and genuine consensus. These reforms could be undertaken in a way that strengthens Israeli democracy and brings the country together, but they also have the capacity to cause great damage to Israel’s cohesion and harmony.
“It is important that the judicial reforms strike the right balance between allowing democratically elected governments to implement their mandates and preserving the checks and balances that are so important for maintaining the integrity and strength of Israel’s liberal democracy.
“We urge both the Israeli Government and the Opposition to modify their stances and come together in a spirit of civility, mutual respect, goodwill and patriotism, and genuinely try to reach a consensus position on both this item and other elements in the current judicial reform proposals,” Dr Rubenstein concluded.
“It is disappointing that this controversial bill, which makes such fundamental changes to the very nature of Israel’s democracy, was passed in such a partisan, hasty and divisive manner.”. What one-eyed garbage. The Government was ELECTED – doesn’t mean much to the commentator – with the changes in its platform. The defeated opposition and their hysterical, drummed up, riotous supporters (a tiny % of Israelis), want total capitulation. THEY have to capitulate, starting with Lapid who has committed sedition or worse. Their real motives are un REASONABLE fear of the religious and/or Mizrachi, population of Israel, and their fear of a reduction in their inherited privilege.