Knesset Passes 'Reasonableness' Law as Judicial Reform Opponents Boycott Final Vote

Israel's parliament, the Knesset, passed the first key section of the Netanyahu coalition's judicial reform law Monday, as protesters clashed with police outside the building. Competing factions of lawmakers worked to reach a compromise, but the talks failed, and the opposition boycotted the final vote, which passed 64-0, with all members of the coalition voting in favor. Thousands of Israelis marched on Jerusalem over the weekend, protesting the judicial reform legislation. Supporters of the reform bill also gathered in Tel Aviv to stand with the coalition. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was hospitalized this weekend for an implant of a pacemaker, returned to the Knesset and took part in the negotiations before the final vote was cast. The Histadrut Labor Federation said after the vote that it will organize nationwide strikes. Its leader Arnon Bar-David said "any universal advancement of the reform will have grave consequences," according to The Times of Israel, "up to and including a full strike" of workers’ unions throughout Israel.

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