‘Deeply disappointed’: Board of Deputies and JLC react to judicial reform vote in Israel

The Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council have expressed “deep disappointment” with the outcome of the first vote on judicial reforms in Israel. 

Following the passing the “reasonableness law”, which bars the country’s High Court from striking down government decisions and appointments of ministers deemed “unreasonable,” the Board of Deputies and JLC last night issued a joint statement, outlining their support for Israeli President Herzog’s efforts to achieve compromise between supporters and opponents of the proposed reforms.

They stated their deep disappointment that “at this stage, the efforts have failed.”

Their statement comes after the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, passed the first judicial reform on Monday, leading to thousands of demonstrators taking to roads and highways in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in protest.

In a statement on Twitter, Yachad said the principles on which Israel was founded “are being eroded by this extremist government” and that “Israel can no longer claim it wishes to be a democracy.”

British social justice organisation The New Israel Fund also issued a statement, calling Monday’s vote a “dark day”, pledging to continue to “keep fighting for democracy, equality, and justice”