Israel Passes Law Protecting Netanyahu Amid Protests.
Israel's parliament has passed the first part of the government's controversial judicial changes into law, designed to protect the position of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The legislation was approved by a minimum majority required. The passing of the "incapacitation bill" means that Israel's attorney general is no longer capable of declaring Netanyahu unfit for office. The opposition has criticised the move, calling it a "contemptible and corrupt personal piece of legislation against a ludicrous rumour". The passing of the bill has sparked protests across the country, with several people arrested. Critics have raised fears of democratic backsliding, with significant pressure coming from the hi-tech sector, the military and Israel's US allies.