Episode Description: Threats to Democracy in Israel

In this episode, we delve into the recent developments in Israel where opposition lawmakers walked out of parliament, allowing legislation that limits the powers of the country's Supreme Court to be passed. This controversial law has sparked intense protests and raised concerns about the future of democracy in Israel.

The new law significantly reduces the Supreme Court's ability to strike down laws it deems unreasonable, which poses a threat to the country's democratic functioning. Protests against the law have escalated, with demonstrators clashing with police in an effort to protect the integrity of the judiciary system.

The government argues that the change is necessary to address the Supreme Court's alleged overreach and to restore a balance of power. They claim that the court has taken powers without a democratic mandate. However, legal experts strongly oppose this view, asserting that the law weakens checks and balances on the government's power, ultimately undermining democracy in Israel.

As tensions rise, the government plans to pass more laws that further threaten democratic functioning. This has led to ongoing protests and potential security implications for the country. We explore the implications of these developments and the potential consequences for Israel's democratic system.

A seemingly small change to the Supreme Court’s powers to adjudicate “reasonableness” represents a significant risk to the country’s democratic functioning—and 30 weeks of popular protest about it will continue. Our correspondent looks into why Vietnam’s schools produce such excellent students (09:54). And examining the debate on whether cryptocurrency trading conflicts with Islamic strictures (15:15).

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