Smotrich, Rothman unveil plan for next phase of judicial reform

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chairman Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism Party unveiled the next phase of their judicial overhaul plan on Tuesday. The proposal aims to rebalance governmental branches and includes several key changes:

• Splitting the Attorney General's role into a government legal adviser and a separate prosecution oversight official.
• Regulating judicial review and altering Supreme Court appointment and management procedures.
• Strengthening the Knesset and expanding protections for criminal defendants.
• Allowing ministers to appoint legal advisers and introducing an “override clause” for lawmakers to overturn Supreme Court rulings.

Smotrich stated the party would demand implementation if part of the next government after the October 27 election, noting that many judicial appointments are expected during the next Knesset's term. He affirmed, “The government will be able to govern, the Knesset will be able to legislate, and the judicial system will operate within the bounds of its authority.”