Knesset reconvenes with an ambitious and controversial agenda
(Worthy News) – The Knesset on Monday opened its winter session with an ambitious and often controversial agenda, ranging from a bid to clip the High Court of Justice’s wings to anchoring the state’s Jewish character in the country’s constitutional Basic Laws.
The packed legislative line-up set out by ministers and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the parliament’s three-month break also included support for expanding Jerusalem’s municipal borders to absorb surrounding settlements; rewriting laws on ultra-Orthodox conscription and illegal migration to bypass judgments by the twin High Court and Supreme Courts; and passing the 2019 budget, to boot.
In the shadow of the corruption probes into Netanyahu, and with his wife Sara expected to be indicted any day for allegedly misusing public funds, Likud lawmakers were closing ranks around Netanyahu, with little public criticism of the premier and even a proposal (currently facing objections by the coalition Kulanu party) seeking to offer incumbent premiers immunity from prosecution. [ Source: Times of Israel (Read More…) ]