Israel's Judicial Overhaul Explained
Plus: US condemns Jordan's proposed cybercrime law, Gulf central banks raise interest rates, new Chinese foreign minister in Turkey, Barbie movie delayed in the Middle East, and more.
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Israel's Judicial Overhaul Explained
The Israeli parliament passed this week a law that limits the Supreme Court's oversight of government policies, raising concerns about increasing societal divisions and potential threats to democracy.
The new legislation abolishes the "reasonableness doctrine," which the Supreme Court used to assess government decisions, removing its power to strike down decisions considered "unreasonable."
The doctrine allowed the court to evaluate the sensibility and soundness of government policies. For example, it prevented the appointment of Aryeh Deri, a previously convicted individual, as the Minister of Finance.
With this oversight now eliminated, Deri could potentially become a minister.
This law also makes it more likely for the annexation of parts of the West Bank to happen, as the Supreme Court's ability to check the government's power is limited.
Critics fear that this package will weaken the judiciary in favor of the government and the Knesset, disrupting the balance of power among Israel's branches of government and destabilizing its democracy. On the other hand, proponents argue that the judiciary has become unaccountable and overstepped its role in policy-making.
The driving forces behind this judicial reform are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Justice Yariv Levin, and Simcha Rotman, among other right-wing politicians.
As the government holds a majority in the Knesset, opposition parties are unlikely to stop the reform within the legislature. Despite mass protests, the reform proceeds.
The new law presents uncertainties for Israel's future as it faces a unique challenge from the government.
It could alter the power dynamics significantly, including changes to Basic Laws, restructuring the roles of the Knesset and the High Court of Justice, and limiting the attorney general's authority.
Negotiations for further changes to the judiciary might occur during the upcoming Knesset summer recess, but the outcome remains uncertain as the opposition and government have not reached a compromise on the bill.
US Condemns Jordan's Proposed Cybercrime Law for Undermining Free Speech
On Wednesday, the U.S. criticized Jordan's proposed cybercrime law, expressing concerns about its impact on free speech.
This rare criticism comes despite Jordan being a significant ally of the U.S. in the region.
The proposed law aims to criminalize online content deemed to undermine national unity, incite immorality, spread false news, and promote hate speech. However, the law lacks clear definitions for these offenses.
If approved, the law could limit both online and offline freedom of speech, potentially hindering investment in the technology sector.
The legislation is yet to pass voting in the largely pro-government legislature.
Notably, last year, Jordan's parliament passed constitutional amendments that strengthened King Abdullah's power and made it harder for the legislature to dismiss governments.
Read more on The National News.
Gulf Central Banks Raise Interest Rates Following US Federal Reserve's Move
On Wednesday, Gulf central banks increased their interest rates in line with the U.S. Federal Reserve.
The Saudi Central Bank raised its key rates by 0.25% to 6%, citing "monetary stability."
Similarly, the Qatar Central Bank raised its rates by 0.25%, with the deposit interest rate now at 5.75%, the lending rate at 6.25%, and the repo rate at 6%.
The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates and the Central Bank of Kuwait also raised their key rates by 0.25%, with rates now at 5.4% and 4.25%, respectively.
The Central Bank of Bahrain raised its key policy rate to 6.25%, while Oman has not yet made an announcement.
This move follows the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision to raise rates by 0.25% to a range of 5.25%-5.5% due to inflation concerns, marking the highest rate since 2001.
The U.S. began increasing rates in March 2022 in response to rising inflation triggered by global supply chain disruptions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
New Chinese Foreign Minister Holds Talks in Turkey
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Ankara for his first foreign trip since his appointment.
During the visit, he met with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and discussed the situation in Ukraine and global financial matters with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Wang Yi's appointment came after Qin Gang's removal from the position, and his discussions with Turkish officials covered economic and trade relations, the Belt and Road Initiative, Middle Corridor, nuclear energy, agriculture, and civil aviation.
The Uyghur situation in Xinjiang was also addressed during the talks.
Human rights groups accuse China of abuses against Uyghur minorities, including forced labor in internment camps, but China denies these allegations.
After the meeting, Erdogan expressed hope for intensified cooperation between Turkey and China on global and regional issues.
Explosive-laden Motorcycle Blast Kills Six in Damascus Suburb Ahead of Ashoura
A motorcycle carrying explosives detonated near a Shiite Muslim shrine in a Damascus suburb on Thursday, killing at least six people and injuring dozens.
The incident occurred one day before the holy day of Ashura. The interior ministry confirmed the casualties.
Initially, authorities believed the bomb was hidden in a taxi, but later clarified that the explosives were on the motorcycle, which exploded next to the cab.
The explosion happened near positions of Iranian militias, key allies of Syrian President Bashar Assad, and Russia in the ongoing 13-year-long civil conflict in Syria.
The neighborhood, Sayida Zeinab, is named after the shrine of Sayida Zeinab, the granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad. It became a rallying point for Shiite fighters supporting Assad during the sectarian civil war that followed the anti-government uprising.
Ashoura, a significant holy day for Shiite Muslims, is marked by mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, and his 72 companions in the battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq.
The explosion occurred ahead of the peak of the Ashoura mourning procession.
This blast is the second incident in the Sayida Zeinab neighborhood in the days leading to Ashoura, with another motorcycle bombing on Tuesday, injuring two civilians.
Barbie Movie Breaks Records in Opening Weekend but Faces Delayed Release in the Middle East
The new 'Barbie' movie has set records during its opening weekend.
However, cinema-goers in Egypt and the UAE will have to wait for a few more weeks to watch it.
The UAE release date is now scheduled for Thursday, August 31, with Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and other Middle East countries expected to have the same release date.
Originally, 'Barbie' was supposed to be released in Egypt on July 19 and in the UAE one day later. The reasons for the delay in both countries remain unclear.
The UAE had been actively promoting the film with a massive CGI advertisement outside Dubai's Burj Khalifa skyscraper.
Egypt, the UAE, and other countries in the Middle East and North Africa have previously banned Hollywood films that were deemed to promote LGBTQ+ content.
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About me
My name is Dario Sabaghi, and I am a freelance journalist interested in international news focusing on the MENA region.
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