The bill passed its third and final reading in the Knesset with 67 votes in favor and one against. The opposition boycotted the vote in protest. The sole opposing vote came from Mickey Levy, a lawmaker from the centrist Yesh Atid party, who later said he voted against the bill by mistake.
The vote followed an 18-hour debate that began at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and concluded early Wednesday morning. The opposition attempted to disrupt the legislative process by withdrawing its list of speakers three hours ahead of the planned end of the debate. In response, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and coalition lawmaker Simcha Rothman prolonged their speeches until more coalition members could arrive for the vote, which took place at 6:15 a.m.
The law restructures the Judicial Selection Committee, reducing the influence of sitting judges and increasing political control over appointments. Under the new framework, the nine-member panel will include the president of the Supreme Court and two other justices chosen by their peers; the justice minister, who will chair the committee, and another minister selected by the government; two Knesset members, one from the coalition and one from the opposition; and two public representatives — attorneys with at least 10 years of experience — chosen by the coalition and opposition respectively.
The measure reflects a compromise plan drafted by Levin and fellow Cabinet minister Gideon Sa’ar.
