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Ben Gvir Calls Supreme Court Challenge an Unlawful Coup

1/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir told the Otzma Yehudit faction that any Supreme Court move to remove him would be an unlawful coup.
He framed the dispute as a crisis for Israeli democracy and said elected officials should not be subordinate to bureaucrats.
He expressed optimism that the crisis could yield reforms to restore balance and reaffirm commitment to the law.

History

Historical Context

In 2023, protests erupted in Israel against proposed judicial reforms aimed at limiting the Supreme Court's powers, echoing the 1992 Basic Law that established judicial independence. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's claims of a coup against him reflect ongoing tensions between elected officials and the judiciary, a struggle rooted in Israel's democratic governance challenges since the 2005 Gaza disengagement.

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Story summary

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir told the Otzma Yehudit faction that any Supreme Court move to remove him would be an unlawful coup.
He framed the dispute as a crisis for Israeli democracy and said elected officials should not be subordinate to bureaucrats.
He expressed optimism that the crisis could yield reforms to restore balance and reaffirm commitment to the law.

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