The cabinet during the Sunday weekly meeting approved the motion put forward by Justice Minister Daniel Friedman, seeking to amend the nation�s Basic Law towards limiting the authority of the Supreme Court. The motion passed in a 13-11 vote. The bill will now move to the Knesset Law Committee. Labor and Kadima ministers opposed the bill.

The senior minister�s bill would limit the authority of the nation�s highest, which to date may annul any Knesset decision if it feels such a decision violates human rights. The amendment would limit the court�s authority to matters which are deemed contradictory to the nation�s Basic Law, addressing one�s liberty, dignity, and one�s right of Freedom of Occupation. Giving the Knesset addition power, the bill states that any law annulled by the high court can be overturned and reactivated by the Knesset in a simple 61-vote majority.

Friedman views his bill as an important step towards restoring Knesset authority, while strengthening the Supreme Court since for a first time in the nation�s history, the high court has been given the authority to annul Knesset law if such a law infringes on the Basic Law.

Labor leader Ehud Barak expressed his party�s adamant opposition to the bill, as well as the fact that the current government, in its last days, addresses such a vital issue.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed the need to create a separation between the legislative, judicial and executive branches.

Shas leader Eli Yishai stated that while there he has reservations; he may indeed support the bill towards defining the Supreme Court�s authority.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)