Israeli Knesset Takes Major Step Toward Controversial Judicial Overhaul

The Knesset has approved the first reading of a bill that would grant preemptive immunity to laws against judicial review, bringing Israel's judiciary largely under political control. The bill would prevent the High Court of Justice from acting as a brake on the executive and legislature, and give near-unlimited power to the governing majority. The legislation will need to pass two more Knesset votes to become law. The coalition has said it seeks to enact all of its sweeping reforms by the time the Knesset breaks for Passover, in just over two weeks.