Jewish Dems Oppose Anti-Democratic Action Taken By the Israeli Government

WASHINGTON – Earlier today, the Israeli Knesset repealed the “reasonableness standard,” which is used by the Israeli courts to strike down “unreasonable” Israeli government decisions. In the past, this law has served as a critical check and balance on executive overreach, allowing the Israeli High Court to protect minority rights and prevent corruption. The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) has opposed the Israeli government’s proposed judicial overhaul and today announced it strongly opposes the passage of this bill.

In response, JDCA CEO Halie Soifer said the following:

“JDCA is committed to the safety and security of the State of Israel and its future as a Jewish and democratic state. We are deeply concerned by the ongoing attempts to erode Israel’s democracy with measures like this one, which unequivocally weakens Israel’s judiciary, democracy, and systems of checks and balances. As President Herzog has urged and President Biden advised, the focus of the Israeli government should be on uniting around a consensus for judicial reform, not divisive and undemocratic measures like this one. We stand with the hundreds of thousands of Israelis who have demonstrated in support of Israel’s democracy and in opposition to harmful judicial overhaul proposals, including this legislation.”

To speak with a JDCA spokesperson, please contact [email protected].

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