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by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Israel’s parliament passed a controversial law Wednesday morning that reshapes the committee that selects judges, a key part of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s judicial reform plan.
The Knesset passed the measure 67-1 after the opposition boycotted the final vote and walked out in protest. Earlier, lawmakers struck down over 71,000 opposition objections before approving the law reshaping the judicial selection committee.
The new law reshapes the Judicial Selection Committee, reducing judges’ influence and boosting political control. The nine-member panel will now include three justices, two ministers, two lawmakers (one from the coalition and one from the opposition), and two veteran lawyers selected by the coalition and opposition.
The law will take effect in the next Knesset, after Israel’s next general elections, set for October 2026.
Introduced in early 2023, Netanyahu’s judicial reform has become one of Israel’s most divisive political issues, triggering nationwide protests amid concerns about the future of its democratic institutions.
As the Knesset debated Wednesday night, thousands protested outside against the judicial reform, which critics say threatens Israeli democracy. The vote followed ongoing demonstrations, including a 10,000-strong rally Tuesday near government offices in Jerusalem.
Protesters arrived in convoys and set up a mock “Qatar Embassy,” portraying Netanyahu as a puppet of Doha—a nod to the recent “Qatar-Gate” scandal.
Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin dismissed the criticism, claiming the law was needed because the High Court had “effectively abolished the Knesset.” He accused the court of assuming powers “unimaginable in any democracy,” including striking down laws and basic laws.
“Our Supreme Court… has placed itself above the government,” he said. “It can invalidate any action… even puts itself in the place of the people… in questions concerning the term and removal of a prime minister — a crazy thing that is unparalleled anywhere.”
Levin said the new law ends the “friend-brings-friend system” in appointments, resolves conflicts of interest on the committee, and addresses concerns over government control.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
The United States will reduce tariffs on Indian goods to 18% after President Donald Trump announced a new trade agreement with India following a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The reduced rate marks a rollback from the 25% “reciprocal” tariff imposed last year, along with an additional 25% penalty tied to India’s purchases of Russian oil, the Wall Street Journal reported.
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A Russian drone strike on a bus carrying mineworkers in southeastern Ukraine killed at least 15 people on Sunday, Ukrainian officials said.
The Israel Defense Forces’ Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held a discreet weekend visit to Washington, meeting senior U.S. defense officials amid rising tensions with Iran and uncertainty over a possible American strike.
President Donald Trump’s promised U.S. military “armada” has now arrived in the Middle East, led by the aircraft carrier strike group centered on the USS Abraham Lincoln. Yet despite the high-profile deployment of naval power and advanced fighter aircraft, U.S. officials say a major American response against Iran may be delayed as the Pentagon focuses on fortifying air defenses across the region, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The U.S. Senate sent a $1.2 trillion government funding package back to the House for approval Friday night, ensuring a partial government shutdown over the weekend.
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The Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs encapsulate the beauty, wisdom, and eternal truths found in the Bible, creating an immersive experience that resonates with believers and seekers alike.
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