Court weighs barring convict Deri’s return as minister, day after gov’t unveiled judicial overhaul that would prevent such hearings * Klein Halevi, Horovitz on democracy

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Thursday, January 5, 2023 Presented by [Moving Life]( [Court to Deri: ‘You can’t quit Knesset in plea bargain, then get appointed minister’]( By Jeremy Sharon Attorneys representing Shas leader challenge High Court’s authority, spar with justices as they argue that he should be allowed to hold office despite his recent conviction [Under threat, High Court hears petitions against Deri’s ministerial appointment]( By TOI staff [AG: Deri’s appointment as minister ‘unreasonable in the extreme’]( By Jeremy Sharon [Justice minister unveils plan to shackle the High Court, overhaul Israel’s judiciary]( By Jeremy Sharon Levin announces sweeping proposals to severely curtail judges’ powers; claims court’s intervention in decisions, Knesset laws harms democracy; opposition warns of ‘political coup’ [Lapid says judicial overhaul plans will destroy Israel’s ‘constitutional structure’]( By TOI staff Op-ed David Horovitz [Justice minister sounds death knell for Israel’s inadequately protected democracy]( Netanyahu loyalist claims his ‘reforms’ fix imbalance between branches of government. In fact, he’s neutering the High Court, the only defense, for anyone, against any coalition [Gantz urges Netanyahu to form joint team to shape judicial reform]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn and TOI staff [New chair of Knesset law committee: Israel’s Basic Laws are not a constitution]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn from our sponsor [This Israeli startup will change your opinion on mobility scooters]( A clunky sort of golf-cart for old people? Think again. People with mobility issues can now ride around in style! Live updates [Arab FMs urge UN to ‘work immediately’ against Temple Mount ‘provocations’]( By Amy Spiro Ahead of scheduled Security Council meeting today, foreign ministers of Jordan, UAE, PA, Qatar, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Egypt issue joint condemnation of Ben Gvir visit [Deri confidants fear court will nix his appointment, blame Levin’s legal ‘bombshell’]( By Shalom Yerushalmi Sources close to Shas leader accuse justice minister of antagonizing court by announcing far-reaching reforms to undercut their power on eve of crucial hearing From the blogs Yossi Klein Halevi [The Jewish path back to Israeli democracy]( I’ve been part of the Israeli story for too long to despair – sooner or later, this coalition of destruction will unravel [The UN and its anti-Israel bias; NY’s Haredim vs. the NYT]( [listen to the podcast]( [Terror convict who murdered IDF soldier released after 40 years, says he’s ‘proud’]( By TOI staff and AFP Karim Younis, an Arab Israeli, receives hero’s welcome by hundreds in hometown of ‘Ara; minister Ben Gvir reportedly ordered predawn release to prevent celebrations outside prison [Palestinian lawyer deported to France vows to ‘continue my struggle’]( By Agencies [Palestinians urge UN Security Council to rap Israel over Ben Gvir Temple Mount visit]( By Jacob Magid Israel lobbying council members not to adopt joint statement after Thursday session; US has blocked such measures in past, but diplomat speculates this time could be different [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing Jan. 5: The UN and its anti-Israel bias; NY’s Haredim vs. the NYT]( By TOI staff [Israel to build wall along Gaza border highway to foil anti-tank missile attacks]( By Emanuel Fabian Top Ops Anat Thon-Ashkenazy [Making the anti-discrimination law discriminatory]( Here’s how to make the law protecting vulnerable populations meaningless: Add 3 amendments that infringe on the right to human dignity and the value of equality Moshe Shoshan [‘Our hands have shed this blood’: We must tell the full story of Rabbi Druckman]( Those of us who revere the late rabbi must learn from his failures too, and resolve to never again accept as leader an unrepentant protector of sexual criminals Op-ed David Horovitz [Ben Gvir is a pyromaniac, but it’s Netanyahu who has given him the matches]( The PM could have simply told the far-right leader that his Temple Mount visit was counterproductive to Israel’s interests. Here’s why he didn’t [US defense chief Austin warns Gallant not to ‘undermine’ West Bank stability]( By Emanuel Fabian [Turkish FM to Israeli counterpart: Ben Gvir’s Temple Mount visit was ‘unacceptable’]( By Lazar Berman [New coalition stance emboldens settlers, who plan to reestablish flashpoint outposts]( By Shalom Yerushalmi Thousands intend to spend Seder night in Homesh and Evyatar this Passover and then stay on, taking advantage of the hardline government’s policy reversal they see as a watershed [‘Illegal even under Israeli law’: US urges Israel not to legalize settler outpost]( By Jacob Magid [Oman, once thought to be next Abraham Accords signer, criminalizes ties with Israel]( By David I. Klein Gulf state long had closer ties to Jerusalem than its neighbors, but is now likely pushing back against Netanyahu government, trying to placate Iran, experts say [Palestinian teen gunman killed during clashes with Israeli troops near Nablus]( By Emanuel Fabian Amer Abu Zayton, 16, shot in the head as Lion’s Den members claim to open fire at Israeli forces operating in Balata refugee camp [Small IDF drone crashes in northern West Bank, cause unknown]( By Emanuel Fabian [IDF razes homes, water tanks in disputed West Bank ‘firing zone’]( By AP and TOI staff [CRM]( [Likud plans to expand ‘Norwegian Law’ to increase number of politicians in office]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn Ruling party has 17 ministers among its 32 MKs; is seeking legislation that would allow up to 10 of them to quit Knesset, making way for fresh lawmakers [TV report: Netanyahu, Ohana seeking to oust apolitical Knesset secretary-general]( By TOI staff [Extremist Proud Boys go to trial for US sedition as January 6 probe heats up]( By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and Michael Kunzelman Group leader Enrique Tarrio and 4 of his lieutenants face up to 20 years in prison on charges of seditious conspiracy in high-profile case against Capitol insurrectionists [Stalemate in Washington: Deadlock deepens in US House speaker showdown]( By Frankie TAGGART [Christians, Jews punching above demographic weight in US Congress, Pew finds]( By Peter Smith [Thousands pour into St. Peter’s Square for funeral of Benedict XVI]( By Nicole Winfield, Giada Zampano and Frances D'Emilio Pope Francis presides over Vatican ceremony for deceased former pontiff; small number of heads of state, royal delegations join service More Headlines [First of Zion: Rishon is Israel’s best city to live in, statistics bureau finds]( By Danielle Nagler [Beds run out at Beijing hospital as China COVID surge continues]( By AP [Morocco said delaying Tel Aviv embassy amid demands Israel back Western Sahara claim]( By TOI staff [Iran closes French institute to retaliate for Khamenei cartoons]( By AFP [Israeli quantum communication nanosatellite launched into orbit by SpaceX rocket]( By Sharon Wrobel [Rabbi Abraham Levy, influential leader among Britain’s Sephardic Jews, dies at 83]( By James Martin [Neighbors fuming over Netanyahu’s temporary Jerusalem residence]( By TOI staff [Police officer suspected of hiding camera in women’s bathroom at station]( By TOI staff [Man who attacked cops in Times Square allegedly motivated by US support of Israel]( By AFP [Explainer / Why Syria’s economic crisis has hit a new low, bringing country to a standstill]( By ABBY SEWELL [In good faith / Robert Kraft’s donation for stricken NFL player has Jewish meaning]( By jacob gurvis [Improved war-drobe / Fight couture: IDF orders sweat-wicking, flame-retardant garb]( By Emanuel Fabian [The daily edition]( [facebook]( [twitter]( [instagram]( [View in browser]( [Contact support](mailto:support@timesofisrael.com) [Advertise with us](mailto:advertise@timesofisrael.com) Were you forwarded this email? 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