The Knesset passed a contentious law on Wednesday to cement broad political control over the Israeli Police, wrapping up a three-part legislative blitz ahead of the scheduled swearing-in of incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government on Thursday, according to the Times of Israel Website.
Approved 61 to 55 in its third and final reading, the law was insisted upon by incoming police minister Itamar Ben Gvir as a condition for joining Netanyahu’s government, one of several far-reaching demands from the far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties that will partner with Netanyahu’s Likud in the new coalition.
“We made history,” Ben Gvir said immediately upon the law’s passage, promising that it would lead to “a strong police” force.
Amending existing police regulations, the law states that the government has “authority” over the Israeli Police. It places Ben Gvir, as incoming national security minister, “in charge of” the force on behalf of the government.
The law explicitly grants Ben Gvir the authority to direct general police policy and to outline “general principles for action.” He can also influence policy relating to investigations, after consulting with the police commissioner and hearing the attorney general’s opinion.
On Tuesday, lawmakers passed legislation that now allows anyone convicted of offenses but not given a custodial sentence to serve as a minister.
A second law passed allows for two ministers to serve in the same office.
The measure is aimed at the defense ministry, where Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the extreme-right formation Religious Zionism, is to be the minister with control over civil affairs in the occupied West Bank.
West Bank settlements marked top priority for Netanyahu government
Netanyahu’s incoming far-right government has put West Bank settlement expansion at the top of its list of priorities a day before it’s set to be sworn into office.
Netanyahu’s Likud party released the new government’s policy guidelines on Wednesday, the first of which is that it will “advance and develop settlement in all parts of the land of Israel — in the Galilee, Negev, Golan Heights, and West Bank.
The commitment could put the new government on a collision course with its closest allies, including the United States and the American Jewry. The Biden administration has said it strongly opposes settlement expansion and has rebuked the Israeli government for it in the past.
This major change has reflected on the public opinion in the Zionist entity. A new survey published by the Yisod organization revealed that 60% of the Zionists think that Israeli ‘democracy’ is in danger.
According to the survey, 78% of religious respondents (compared to only 26% of secular ones) feel that the court does not need to have the authority to overrule Knesset legislation.
Source: Israeli media
