Israel's parliament approves law to limit Supreme Court

Israel's right-wing ministers on Sunday pushed forward a controversial bill that will limit the Supreme Court's ability to curtail laws deemed unconstitutional.

Under the proposal ratified by the ministerial committee for legislation, the Knesset (parliament) could circumvent a decision by the Supreme Court to cancel a law by passing it again with a support of 61 lawmakers of the 120-seat parliament.

The committee approved the bill on Sunday, meaning it now needs to undergo full three rounds of votes in the parliament before it becomes a law.

The move was condemned by opposition lawmakers and even some coalition members.

Moshe Kahlon, minister of finance and leader of the centrist of Kulanu, said the approval of the bill in the committee "breached the coalition agreement not to pass legislation to damage the rule of law."

Proponents of the bill see the Supreme Court as too liberal and accuse the court of frequently intervening and canceling laws deemed unconstitutional.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the ultranationalist Jewish Home party, tweeted following the committee's approval.

"This is a great day for Israeli democracy. We will strengthen the government's authority and increase the public's faith in the court."