An independent inquiry committee announced today, Thursday, that the judicial reforms proposed by the Israeli government pose a threat to Palestinians, raising further questions from abroad about the currently suspended proposals. The proposed reforms, which restrict some powers of the Supreme Court and enhance government influence over judicial appointments, sparked unprecedented protests in Israel and Western concerns regarding the independence of the Israeli judiciary.
The inquiry committee, established by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2021, cited preliminary legislation that includes bills that may increase taxes on pro-Palestinian NGOs and limit their ability to monitor Israeli soldiers' activities in the West Bank in a 56-page report. The report indicated that other proposals made by members of the religious and nationalist coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest revoking citizenship from members of the Arab minority in Israel and deporting them if they commit pro-Palestinian violent acts.
The report stated that "the proposed reforms would dismantle the key features of the separation of powers and the essential checks and balances in democratic political systems." It added that "legal experts warned that they risk undermining the protection of human rights, particularly for the most vulnerable and disenfranchised groups, including Palestinian citizens."
Israel's mission to the United Nations in Geneva claimed that the report includes unfounded allegations. It added that "the claims against Israel in the latest report rely heavily on what can best be described as arbitrary trials during so-called public hearings." It further stated, "It also appears that the inquiry committee dismisses everything that does not align with its pre-determined judgment."
The committee found that Israel has tightened its grip on human rights defenders through "harassment, threats, arrests, interrogations, arbitrary detention, torture, and inhuman and degrading treatment." The committee, which conducted nearly 130 interviews, found that Palestinian authorities in the occupied West Bank and Gaza targeted Palestinian human rights activists. The report noted that "the arrest and detention of Palestinian activists by both Israeli and Palestinian authorities represent a particularly harsh reality for many Palestinian activists."
