On March 19, 2025, the Knesset’s Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee approved the proposal to change the composition of the Judicial Selection Committee, the committee responsible for appointing judges to Israeli courts. The law is expected to pass on Thursday, March 27.
What is the current composition of the committee?
The committee currently includes three Supreme Court justices, two representatives from the Bar Association, and four politicians: three from the coalition (the Minister of Justice, another minister, and a Knesset Member), and one Knesset member from the opposition. This arrangement grants professional representatives the majority vote, thereby ensuring (as much as possible) that judicial appointments are not political and safeguarding the independence of the judiciary. Judges for the lower courts are selected by simple majority, so that a potential judge’s professional merits are the primary consideration for their appointment. The committee’s politicians do not have veto power over the appointment of a lower court judge. Additionally, since 2008 the appointment of Supreme Court justices requires that a majority of 7 of the 9 committee members agree to the appointment, which means that the committee’s sitting justices and the coalition representatives have mutual veto power over the selection of Supreme Court justices. This ensures that the Supreme Court consists of justices who are broadly accepted.
For 72 years, all governments and Knessets have abided by and respected this selection method and ratified it with minor amendments.
What are the arguments against the current system, and are they valid?
What are the proposed changes and their implications?
Changes to the committee's composition:
Changing the rules for selecting Supreme Court justices:
Adding a "deadlock-breaking mechanism for selecting Supreme Court justices:
Changing the rules for selecting other judges:
Selecting the President of the Supreme Court and the Deputy President:
Why is the proposed law dangerous for democracy and human rights?
Is this bill part of the "judicial overhaul?"