Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces updates to judicial reform plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a change Monday to a key part of its controversial plans to overhaul the country’s judicial system in the face of protests and international pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden. Supporters of the government plans often cite the selection of judges as a key reason changes are necessary -- saying the current system where judges have a hand in picking future judges is insular, elitist and undemocratic. The original bill to change how judges are selected would have established a selection committee where coalition-appointed members would have a clear majority. Reportedly, the new plan will reduce the power of the coalition, giving them a one-seat majority of appointed spots on the judge selection committee. The Israeli government aims to pass the judicial selection bill before the Passover holiday begins April 5, while much of the rest of the reform package will now not be voted on until the next Knesset session begins at the end of April.