#367 - The Supreme Court vs. the Government: Israel’s Battle for Power (Prof. Talia Einhorn)

Support the podcast! Buy us a coffee☕: https://buymeacoffee.com/2njb *** Not long ago, the biggest story in Israel was the tidal wave of protests against the government’s proposed judicial reforms. Week after week, hundreds of thousands flooded the streets, warning that the very foundations of Israeli democracy were under threat. The demonstrations reflected a moment of bitter internal division. Then came October 7th—and everything changed. The country shifted overnight from bitter internal division to all-out war. But while the fighting continues and the hostages remain in Gaza, the internal battles are slowly resurfacing—this time, with even higher stakes. In the latest twist, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Now, he’s in the process of interviewing replacements. By law, the Prime Minister can fire the head of the Shin Bet with the government’s approval—but that hasn’t stopped the Attorney General and the Supreme Court from stepping in with objections. For many Israelis, this isn’t just a legal question—it’s a test of who really holds power in the country. And for those who watched the judicial reform protests with concern, it’s a reminder that the battle over Israel’s institutions is far from over. To help us unpack all of this, we’re joined by Professor Talia Einhorn—a leading expert on Israeli constitutional law. She’s a member of the Advisory Committee on Senior Civil Service Appointments and a titular member of the International Academy of Comparative Law. She’s held academic posts at Ariel University, Tel Aviv University, and institutions around the world, and she holds many other distinctions in the legal field. Today, she’s here to walk us through the legal drama, the deeper power struggle, and what it all means for Israel’s future. We’re thrilled to be joined today by professor Talia Einhorn.