Foreign
DECLARING a sitting prime minister unfit for office in Israel would become harder after new legislation was passed in the parliament, or Knesset, on Thursday.
The Jerusalem-based body passed the controversial amendment after an all-night debate.
In the final reading, 61 of the 120 lawmakers voted in favour, 47 were against, and the others were absent or abstained.
According to the legislation which can yet fail in the courts, a three-quarters majority will be required for impeachment.
Furthermore, the removal of a prime minister from the office would only be possible for psychological or other health reasons, reducing the possible influence of the Supreme Court or the Attorney General’s Office.
This is the first change in the law that came as part of wider judicial reforms planned by the new right-wing religious government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The reforms had brought thousands out onto the streets in protest and garnered criticism abroad.
The opposition condemned the new impeachment law as “indecent and corrupt,’’ and opposition politician Avigdor Lieberman said he would fight it in the Supreme Court.
The amendment was particularly controversial because it was seen by critics as tailored to the needs of Netanyahu.
He had been the subject of a long-running corruption trial that had threatened to lead to his dismissal but this law could mean that for Netanyahu this risk has faded considerably.
More protests against the judicial reforms were planned on Thursday. (dpa/NAN)
KN
Tags: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
