"Israel's Coalition Sparks Controversy with Judicial Overhaul Plan"

The Israeli coalition government is set to advance its controversial judicial overhaul and other laws designed to assist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shas leader Aryeh Deri with their legal troubles, circumvent the High Court of Justice, or both. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested against the government’s agenda, with violent attacks reported on demonstrators throughout the evening. The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee will hold four back-to-back hearings to prepare the bill designed to give the government full control over all judicial appointments. Other legislation set to be advanced this week includes a bill to allow Netanyahu to receive donations to fund his legal expenses in his criminal trials and a bill to allow Deri to return to ministerial office despite a High Court ruling banning him from doing so.