Emotions high at Knesset as 1st part reform bill passes

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday. Knesset correspondent Carrie Keller Lynn and legal affairs reporter Jeremy Sharon join host Jessica Steinberg for today's podcast. Keller Lynn talks about the scenes outside and inside the Knesset on Monday, as tens of thousands rallied against the judicial reform, while the first, key piece of legislation was voted on by the coalition committee. Sharon discusses some of the comments made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the faction meeting and his clear message that there would be no slowing down of the reform process. He also explains a new part of the bill introduced by MK Simkha Rothman, in which the right to freedom of expression and other basic civil rights would all become unprotected if the government’s proposed legislation passes into law and the reactions to that new information. Keller-Lynn closes the podcast, reviewing the passage of the first bill in the first of three readings, 63 votes in favor and 47 against, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Discussed articles include: Tens of thousands rally near Knesset ahead of 1st plenum vote on judicial overhaul Knesset legal adviser: Overhaul leaves equality, freedom of expression unprotected Knesset passes first reading of bill to give coalition control over choosing judges Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on iTunes, Spotify, PlayerFM, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. IMAGE: Opposition MKs holding Israeli flags during the discussion and vote on the government's judicial overhaul plans in the Knesset, February 20, 2023 (Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.