The Override Clause and Shielding School Classrooms

Batya Katar describes how she was able to make the state allocate the necessary budget to shield classrooms against rockets through the intervention of the High Court of Justice

Batya Katar submitted a petition to the High Court of Justice to shield school classrooms in Sderot in order to protect the children against rocket attacks. The High Court of Justice ruled that the lives of children are more important than any budget considerations and ordered the state to immediately shield all the classrooms.

In Israel's democratic system, the central government is not restrained by a constitution, nor does it have a federal system or federal courts that diffuse its power. Rather, the Supreme Court is the only barrier standing before the unrestricted rule of politicians, and therefore, judicial review is an absolutely essential part of enacting new laws. The proposed Override Clause Bill, will enable the Knesset to curb the Supreme Court's power of judicial review. It is of the utmost importance to maintain the independence of the only nonpartisan system designed to restrain the tremendous power entrusted in the ruling coalition.