Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann's initial proposal to legislate a bill that would restrict the High Court's ability to overturn laws passed by the Knesset drew harsh responses on Monday from most Knesset factions.

Only parties towards the right on the political spectrum welcomed the initiative.

Former justice minister and Meretz Chairman Yossi Beilin said during a meeting with Friedmann "the proposal to limit the High Court's authority is scandalous."

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MK Shelly Yachimovich (Labor), said that Friedmann's intention to cripple the High Court during "this twilight of the rule of the law" would harm the "delicate balance of democracy." She called on her fellow party members to stand up against Friedmann's measure.

Chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Menachem Ben-Sasson (Kadima) said that a rushed move to change basic laws could be constued as an attempt to harm the High Court's status.

MK Zahava Gal-On (Meretz) said that to say that the Knesset can be trusted not to abuse power would be to "pretend innocence." She added that "the authority to reject Knesset political legislation that violates human rights and discriminate against the public must remain in the hands of the High Court, otherwise, the result could be irreperable."

MK Aryeh Eldad (National Religious Party) said that Friedmann's proposal to grant the Knesset authority to approve laws already vetoed by the High Court would actually strengthen the court in the sense that it would give it official authorization to overturn appealed Knesset laws.

According to Eldad, the Knesset already has the authority to overturn High Court rulings, but "it doesn't, out of fear."

Fellow party member MK Yitzhak Levy welcomed the proposal saying it would regulate the chaotic relationship between the Knesset and the High Court, and "put an end to the tyranny of the Supreme Court, which ignores the benefit of the public and the law."

Friedmann, Beinisch agree to extend justices' terms
Also Monday, Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann and Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch agreed to extend the interim terms of David Cheshin and Devorah Berliner as Supreme Court justices by one month.

Friedmann and Beinisch decided that "for the sake of service to the public, and for the benefit of the system, the temporary appointments will be extended until a decision is made regarding more permanent appointments."

Cheshin and Berliner will serve as justices until April 1.

The committee in charge of selecting new justices is slated to convene next month in order to appoint new justices to the Supreme Court, ending a three-year freeze on new appointments.

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