Israel's Knesset Passes Controversial Judicial Overhaul Bill

Israel's parliament, the Knesset, has adopted a controversial bill in its first reading that would limit court powers, as part of a judicial overhaul proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hard-right government. The bill has sparked widespread protests and international criticism, including from US President Joe Biden. The proposed changes aim to exclude the judiciary's right to rule on the "reasonableness" of government decisions and give the government more influence in the appointment of judges. Critics argue that the reforms pose a threat to Israeli democracy, while Netanyahu denies any connection between the changes and his own corruption charges.