TEL AVIV: Israel's highest court has invalidated a contentious law passed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government last year, aiming to limit the authority of the justices. This decision marks a significant shift and may reignite social and political tensions in the country.

The law's nullification might revive the extensive discord that arose following the attempted judicial reforms, coinciding with recent turmoil: the October 7 attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Prior to the assault, widespread demonstrations occurred, with hundreds of thousands of Israelis protesting against Netanyahu's efforts to curtail the court's powers and grant more influence to the elected government.

The court's decision, supported by eight justices and opposed by seven, arrives amid the backdrop of Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Analysts predict far-reaching implications for post-war domestic politics, particularly concerning any investigations into intelligence lapses leading up to the October 7 Hamas-led attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 casualties, mostly civilians, as per Israeli authorities.

Additionally, this ruling has the potential to reignite a divisive national discourse and incite a constitutional crisis.

The legislation, part of a comprehensive legislative package passed by Israel's parliament (the Knesset) last summer, aimed to restrict the court's authority while granting more power to lawmakers. Netanyahu defended the move, asserting that activist, liberal judges dominated the court, and the legislation aimed to restore a balanced distribution of power. However, opponents argued that it would weaken the court's role as a check on the executive and legislative branches, posing a threat to Israel's liberal democracy.

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