Blog/July 2023/Jul 28th
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It’s a bit long, today…
I suppose that aside from the excessively prolonged heat-wave here in the Land, the most notable news is that the Knesset passed the “reasonability law” on Monday. Here is the full official PDF of the law, from the Knesset web-site (Hebrew only). Given the absolute state of the public discourse in Israel, months of demonstrations, and widespread disruption leading up to this, I thought I’d show you what the law just passed actually says in its entirety:
"In the Basic Law: Judiciary, in section 15, after sub-section (d) there will be:
(d1) Notwithstanding what is stated in this Basic Law, whoever has judicial authority according to law, including The Supreme Court, in its session as a high court of justice, will not discuss the matter of reasonableness of a decision of the government, of the prime minister or of another minister, and will not issue an order on the matter as mentioned; in this section, "decision" (means) - any decision, including matters of appointments or decision to refrain from exercising any authority".
In essence: the Judiciary cannot overturn a Legislative decision or appointment using subjective arguments of “reasonableness”, but instead must rely on strictly legal reasoning. Just like in the USA among most others. Seems pretty unremarkable. In a filibuster attempt, the opposition added 27,655 (sic) objections to this simple law. That scarcely seems like “good faith negotiation” tactics to me.
The polemics and hyperbole being used by the opposition are completely outside the realm of “reasonableness”: “End of democracy!”. “Beginning of religious dictatorship!”, and so on and on. One of the leaders of the demonstrations, former PM and convicted felon Ehud Olmert, said in an interview in the UK: “We are going into a civil war now”. Another leader, (also a former PM) Ehud Barak, said that if the bill passes, “pilots and special-ops should refuse to serve”. Say what, a call for insurrection?
This is extremely dangerous rhetoric from elites who should know better. But then, dissolution of the current government is their stated end-goal. Barak was even saying that as far back as 2016!
Of note:
- Lisa Liel: understanding those who oppose the reform.
- Climate change is literally killing people. Beware the 90F+ summer weather, it’s deadly! (said nobody in the Middle East). And: is global-warming causing massive heatwaves? Maybe a bit.
- Adam Coleman: Why Joe Biden felt comfortable saying “you ain’t black”.
- On peanut allergies, posthumous editing, and how to best protect children.
- Nobel Prize winning physicist cancelled for saying “I don’t believe there’s a climate crisis”.
- Our cars are becoming increasingly enshittified with microchips. Learn more about our cybernetic overlords in that article.
- Heather Heying: You go, girl!.
- The Drinker: on the Barbie movie.
- And potentially world-changing news, if confirmed: the first room-temperature, ambient-pressure superconductor!
We commemorated the fast of the 9th of Av, as one does, by refraining from eating or drinking for 24+ hours, and by reading the scroll of Lamentations. Others had other ideas.
The weather has been very hot, 35-39C with lows only reaching 29C. That’s way too hot, I’m sorry. Nevertheless, we managed to survive the heat and are anticipating some cooling next week, finally reaching seasonally-normal territory.
This shabbat we’ll try to refresh our souls with:
home-made ḥalla,
corned-beef and cabbage ramen,
Yemenite chicken with potatoes,
green beans,
arayes (not עריות!),
coleslaw,
various salatim,
and ice-cream.
Until next time,
shabbat shalom!
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