(RNS) — On the same day Israel’s government advanced legislation to overhaul the country’s judicial system, a group of liberal Jewish organizations marched in protest outside the Israeli Consulate in New York.The aim of the protest, led by T’ruah, a rabbinic human rights organization, was to join in solidarity with Israelis who have taken to the streets en masse to demonstrate against the legislation forwarded by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition.
On Tuesday (Feb. 21), Israel’s parliament, called the Knesset, voted 63-47 to advance legislation giving the coalition more power to appoint Israel’s Supreme Court judges. The bill needs two more hearings in the Knesset before final passage. But given the first vote, it would appear to have the necessary support to pass.
If enacted, it would give the coalition full control over the appointment of judges and would bar the Supreme Court from striking down basic laws.
“The idea is to be in solidarity with hundreds and thousands of Israelis protesting against the massive attacks on democracy,” said Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, which has 2,300 member rabbis and cantors.
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Jacobs’ group was joined by members of the Progressive Israel Network, a 12-member alliance of U.S. Jewish groups, including two smaller Jewish denominations, Reconstructing Judaism and the Jewish Renewal movement, called Alep …