MKs advance bills radically limiting judicial oversight, preventing PM recusal, reversing W. Bank disengagement * 1st mRNA vaccine for bacteria * Saudi-Iran: Whose fault?

[Times of Israel]( [The daily edition]( Tuesday, March 14, 2023 Presented by [Matan]( [MKs approve 1st reading of override clause, in major step toward judicial overhaul]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn All key elements of legislation to bring judiciary under near-complete political control now close to becoming law; as protests escalate, Herzog seeks ‘formula of balance and hope’ [Opposition heads vow to boycott final votes on overhaul; PM attacks ‘leftist’ media]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn [Hours before Knesset vote, Edelstein questions coalition’s judicial overhaul push]( By ToI Staff [MKs advance bill to prevent High Court ordering a PM recused for conflict of interest]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn Legislation barring premier from being required to leave office, except in cases of mental or physical incapacitation, slammed as ‘tailored exactly to Netanyahu’s measurements’ [Report: PM halts statistics bureau hires after failed bid to name loyalist as chief]( By ToI Staff [ToI podcast / Daily Briefing Mar. 14: As judicial overhaul is voted on, how will Herzog respond?]( By ToI Staff [Disengagement repeal law for northern West Bank approved in first reading]( By Jeremy Sharon and ToI Staff Reversing sections of the 2005 disengagement law is critical for the government’s goal of legalizing the illegal settlement outpost of Homesh [Police chief said to order senior cops to avoid direct contact with Itamar Ben Gvir]( By ToI Staff [Far-right MK probed by police for terror incitement after calling for ‘burnt Huwara’]( By ToI Staff From Matan [Parshat Vayakel-Pekudei]( In this conversation with Joanne Greenaway, we discuss the communal function of the Mishkan’s construction and its significance as Shemot’s concluding section. Analysis Haviv Rettig Gur [Anatomy of a self-sabotaging reform]( The judicial reformers claim to want democracy, which requires compromise, which requires trust. Why, then, did they start with such an extreme version of their reform? [Heads of manufacturer, trade and tech groups back Herzog in judicial deal push]( By Sharon Wrobel [Protesters demand AIPAC oppose judicial push, as delegation set to meet Netanyahu]( By Tal Schneider and ToI Staff Top Ops Radha Stirling [Iran-Saudi Arabia deal a dangerous sign of Western retreat]( The China-brokered rapprochement bolsters a growing global authoritarian nexus that opposes democracy and human rights Amichai Eliyahu [Herzl’s vision goes deeper than a safe haven]( As Israel’s Minister of Heritage, my sacred duty is to connect those detached from our people to our forefather, Abraham Gideon Rahat [Government of the people means government of ALL the people]( This battle is not left vs. right, it’s between those who embrace democracy and those seeking to institute majority rule Steven Greenberg [Simcha Rothman: Making liberal dreams come true?]( The MK and his allies should bear in mind that the checks and balances they aim to erase protect their core values, too [As judicial overhaul is voted on, how will Herzog respond?]( [listen to the podcast]( [Israeli scientists produce world’s first mRNA vaccine for bacteria]( By Renee Ghert-Zand By focusing on key differences between viruses and bacteria, researchers elicit strong immune responses in mice against Plague pathogen that killed millions in Middle Ages [Some 175,000 Israeli kids not immunized against polio virus — Health Ministry]( By ToI Staff Analysis Lazar Berman [As Saudis sidle up to Iran, some see US apathy, Israeli political chaos to blame]( Riyadh has watched DC grow more distant in recent years, and is dismayed by Israel’s current internal unrest and rising tensions with the Palestinians [‘Early days’: Middle East officials, analysts cautious on Iran-Saudi deal]( By Robbie COREY-BOULET Live updates [LIVE: After Ben Gvir requests independent counsel, High Court refers him back to AG]( By Michael Bachner Justices say minister must first file his demand directly with Gali Baharav-Miara, whom he has accused of ‘unreasonable, disproportionate and unfair’ behavior toward him [At rallies against government, a right-wing anti-overhaul movement takes shape]( By Canaan Lidor Some 12,000 people have attended three demonstrations so far by conservatives keen on compromise, organizers say [Anti-overhaul activists tie themselves together, block road near ministries; 10 held]( By ToI Staff [On trip to the US, high-level IDF veterans issue warning against judicial overhaul]( By Luke Tress Military officers warn Congress members, Jewish community that government policies undermine IDF’s standing as a moral army, open fissures in society, threaten national security [Diplomat in Paris warns that French pro-Israel voices are increasingly critical]( By Lazar Berman [Military pilots said angry at Netanyahu for using them as pawns in deception tactic]( By ToI Staff [Undercover cops infiltrating anti-overhaul protests in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem – report]( By ToI Staff Civil rights lawyer says practice inappropriate for non-violent rallies; police source tells Haaretz practice is to gauge mood of crowd, protect them from attacks [Young woman told to remove anti-overhaul protest sweatshirt to visit Western Wall]( By ToI Staff [Teen girl’s song nixed from municipal show over ultra-Orthodox man in audience]( By ToI Staff Merom HaGalil Regional Council education chief apologizes for snap decision to drop 13-year-old from event, says he was only trying to protect her from offense if people walked out [With deal reached, education minister ends bid to control National Library board]( By Ash Obel Yoav Kisch to appoint one member of board of directors and one of audit committee, hails ‘new era for National Library’; reports say government caved to pressure from major donors [As Europe celebrates its past, US Holocaust envoy reminds states of their darker side]( By Ron Kampeas Ellen Germain is keeping tabs as certain countries quietly attempt to revise their histories, working to ensure that a fair and nuanced vision of the past is maintained [Israel loses 10-0 to Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic’s 1st-ever perfect game]( By jacob gurvis No Israeli batters make it on base in dispiriting loss; team faces vaunted Dominican Republic and Venezuela in the coming days [CRM]( More Headlines [Jodi Picoult’s Holocaust novel removed as Florida school district purges libraries]( By Andrew Lapin [Far-right MK Avi Maoz threatens to quit coalition if he doesn’t get promised powers]( By Carrie Keller-Lynn and ToI Staff [Air defense officer sentenced to 4 years, 9 months for sex crimes against subordinates]( By Emanuel Fabian [Israel shares drop, led by SVB fallout fears; analysts see less risk to local banks]( By Sharon Wrobel [Forecast of short supply of building materials until 2040 further imperils housing]( By Danielle Nagler [Australian literary fest hosts Palestinian writers who peddle antisemitic tropes]( By Ash Obel [Israel releases octogenarian behind Karine A arms smuggling ship]( By Agencies [2nd shuttered US bank was co-founded by major Jewish donor Scott Shay]( By Ron Kampeas [Ex-aide jailed over Jordan royal coup hospitalized following hunger strike]( By Josef Federman [Gaza fishermen celebrate catching dozens of endangered manta rays]( By AFP and ToI Staff [Rescuers search for 2 after crane topples into water near Ashkelon]( By ToI Staff [25 arrested on suspicion of weapons trafficking after 8-month undercover police op]( By ToI Staff [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? [Subscribe here]( [Unsubscribe]( from this List © 2023 The Times Of Israel, All Rights Reserved