Basic Laws of Israel
Also called: Basic Law · Topic: Making of the Constitution: Constituent Assembly, Sources and Salient Features · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Basic Laws of Israel are a set of special laws passed by the Knesset, Israel's one-house parliament. Together they work as Israel's constitution, because Israel has no single codified constitution (one written document holding all the basic rules). Each Basic Law covers one part of the state, for example Basic Law: The Knesset and Basic Law: The Government. Most Basic Laws can be changed by a simple majority of the Knesset (more votes for than against). Only some clauses need a supermajority (a larger-than-normal majority). Israel's High Court of Justice can strike down ordinary laws that clash with a Basic Law.
Example
In 2023, partners in the ruling coalition pushed to rewrite the Basic Laws so that the judiciary would come under the Knesset's control. Critics said this would let the Knesset override High Court rulings. The plan set off mass protests and nationwide strikes, and it was paused in March 2023. This shows that a coalition with only 61 of 120 seats can try to change the state's basic rules.
Don't confuse with
- Constitution of India: India has one written document. Most amendments under Art. 368 need a special majority in both Houses, and some also need approval by half the states. Under the basic structure doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati, 1973), even a valid amendment cannot destroy the Constitution's core features.
- Uncodified constitution (UK): Britain's basic rules are spread across ordinary laws, conventions (settled practices) and court rulings. Israel instead marks out a separate, named group of laws as "Basic Laws".