The court did not issue an injunction against the new law, which came into effect on Wednesday. A political watchdog and Israel’s bar association had petitioned the court to intervene.
The judicial overhaul has caused a deep divide in Israeli society, kindling months of unprecedented protests, stirring concern among allies abroad including Washington for the health of Israel’s 75-year-old democracy, and straining the loyalties of some army reservists.
The nationalist-religious coalition passed legislation on Monday to limit some of the SC’s powers. It was the first ratification of a bill that is part of changes that Netanyahu says are necessary to balance powers and stop the SC over-reaching. Critics say he is threatening the democratic principles and independence of the courts. Protests largely subsided by Wednesday as the Knesset approached a long summer recess from July 30.