The Israeli Judicial Reform DebateThis is certainly the most divisive topic in current Israeli politics. While many thousands protest every week, supporters call those protesters anarchists. We recorded this episode before all of the plan’s specifics were announced, we certainly called the issues correctly. This debate has been ongoing for several years, but is now reaching a crisis point. The main issue at the center of the debate is the balance of power between the legislative and judicial branches of government. Proponents of judicial reform argue that the current system gives the judiciary too much power, and that it needs to be reined in to prevent it from overstepping its bounds. They argue that the current system has resulted in a lack of accountability and has allowed the judiciary to interfere in areas that should be the purview of the legislature.On the other hand, opponents of judicial reform argue that the judiciary is an essential check on the power of the legislature, and that limiting its power would undermine the rule of law and the protection of individual rights and freedoms. They argue that the current system has been successful in ensuring that the laws are properly enforced and that the rights of citizens are protected. Additionally, they argue that the judiciary needs to be independent and free from political pressure in order to effectively perform its role as a check on the power of the legislature.The debate over judicial reform in Israel is not only about the balance of power between the branches of government, but also about the broader implications for Israeli democracy and the rule of law. Both sides in the debate are deeply committed to ensuring that Israel remains a strong and vibrant democracy, and that the rights of citizens are protected. However, they disagree on the best way to achieve these goals, and the debate over judicial reform will likely continue to be a contentious issue in Israeli politics for the foreseeable future.Is this an attempt to put unelected elitists back in their place? Or is this an attempt to create an executive branch with absolute power?The debate between Mike and Calev is hosted by Matt. Calev takes the position that the proposed reforms will severely damage Israeli Democracy, and Mike takes the position that these reforms are what Israel needs in order to lead to a more fair system.Enjoy! And let us know what you think!This episode was edited by the amazing Ben Wallick Studios. Ben is awesome!Masa WebsiteFacebook pagePlease rate, review, share and recommend our podcast.If you have further questions about Israel, please feel free to contact your Masa teacher.