People demonstrate on the 'Day of National Resistance' in protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, Israel July 18, 2023. (Credit: Nir Elias/Reuters)
An Israeli far-right lawmaker drew criticism Tuesday for seeking action against the high court after it ruled against the government's controversial legal overhaul, after Israel's defeat of Hamas in the Gaza war.
"First we will destroy Hamas, then we will take care of Hezbollah and for dessert, we will sort out the Supreme Court," said Zvika Foghel, a member of the ultranationalist Jewish Power party.
"Everything in its own time. Patience," he added on X.
The court on Monday ruled against an amendment passed by parliament in July which scraps the "reasonableness" clause, used by the tribunal to overturn government decisions that are deemed unconstitutional.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had argued the sweeping judicial reform agenda was necessary to rebalance powers between judges and politicians.
But his detractors warn the multi-pronged package could pave the way for authoritarian rule.
The legal overhaul sparked mass protests before the Israel-Hamas war erupted on Oct. 7.
Foghel's statement was denounced by war cabinet member Benny Gantz, who called it "despicable and shameful."
And Interior Minister Moshe Arbel said, "There is no place for including the Supreme Court in the same sentence as our worst enemies".
But Foghel was defended by his party chief and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who argued that "those who see a comparison between Hamas and the Supreme Court in this tweet have issues with reading comprehension".
The bloodiest-ever Gaza war was triggered by Hamas's Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,140 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
After the worst attack in its history, Israel began a relentless bombardment and ground offensive that has killed at least 22,185 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry.
The war has also led to almost daily exchanges of fire on the border with Lebanon between the army and the Lebanese Iranian-backed group Hezbollah.
An Israeli far-right lawmaker drew criticism Tuesday for seeking action against the high court after it ruled against the government's controversial legal overhaul, after Israel's defeat of Hamas in the Gaza war.
"First we will destroy Hamas, then we will take care of Hezbollah and for dessert, we will sort out the Supreme Court," said Zvika...