Netanyahu and allies push ahead with law to weaken Supreme Court

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, makes opening remarks at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

Israel’s parliament has advanced a Bill that would let MPs pass laws that the Supreme Court cannot overturn — a key piece of legislation in Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies’ proposed judicial overhaul that has divided the country.

Mr Netanyahu’s governing coalition of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties has pressed ahead with its legislative blitz despite calls for compromise and demonstrations that have drawn tens of thousands of Israelis to the streets over the past two months.