he's a research fellow at the israel democracy institute, mr. lawry. good to see. now if these traditional reforms were to go ahead, what would change well, the israeli system of checks and balances will be completely out of whack if these reforms and i will go forward. the judicial independence of the court will be completely curtailed and the court conducted a solution for protecting against infringement of human rights will be almost completely out for practical purposes. eliminated the architects of this legal overhaul say that the supreme court is the only israel institution that is not checked and balance, which is why judicial reform is needed in their opinion. what do you make that reasoning? well, i think the supreme court is basically the only check on the power of the government, which is one of the most powerful governments. comparative terms around the world is what does not have 2 houses and it doesn't have preston powers. busy doesn't have a federal system, the only chicken, the government is the supreme court road and there's a c is crucial for defe

wanted rebecca readers and telephones and to be our folks as a senior researcher at the israel democracy institute. i asked him earlier, what would change in israel if the plans to curb, the supreme court really become reality? it's will take away the only check or balance that is ro, democracy has in his well we don't have them by come will parliament. we don't have a president with a veto power or anything. we don't, we're not subject to an international call that human course of the european court of human rights. so the only thing we do have to preserve and some kind of checks and balances and preserving human rights is our supreme court that has some powerful judicial review. what the plan is in this, what we call a overhaul, is to take away this power and have a powerful overriding every and very the can the simple majority of 61, which is the 51 percent. and also they will have complete power on denominations to the court. so it will be a very hollow democracy, which the majority can do actually whatever do you want. now the architects of this legal overhaul, one of whom we heard just there

i laurie at the israel democracy institute. thank you so much for breaking all this down for us and you were ah, here in germany, a woman who became involved with the so called islamic state is facing a tougher sentence for her role in the death of a small you see the girl in iraq the german woman converted to islam and joined the term group in iraq. she was sentenced to 10 years in prison for not doing anything to stop. a 5 year old is the the girl dying of thirst. the girl had been chained up in the sun on the defendant's rocky ex husband, then an isis fighter. an appeals court has now ruled that judges overlooked aggravating circumstances, noting that the defendant could have reasonably intervened to save the girl's life . in this case, dates back to 2015 when i asked had expanded its influence in northern iraq and thousands of minorities were killed and abducted out of the approximately 500000 members of the community in iraq. some 10000 were murdered and estimated 7000 easy women and girls were kidnapped sexually enslaved

thank you so much for that guy laurie from the israel democracy institute. thank you very it's a brief look at some more stories making headlines around the world will start in spain, where fire fighters in the east of the country are still battling to contain the 1st major while of the season. 5 days after it began. places for more than 1500 people to leave their homes. officials of play the early start with the 5 phase and on climate change. at least 16 people have been killed after heavy rains trigger, massive land slides and 7 equitable the most likely hit in the middle of the night . bearing dozens of homes in the village of allow see. several people are missing and rescue us and racing to clear the debris. redland is a step close joining nato after hunger is parliament approved it's bit of warming. majority hunger is one of the last that nato members to ratify finland's accession . as the vote was repeated, the delayed only turkey remains. anger has announced its intention to vote on finland's bid. soon. a german chancellor last shot says that germany

and was a take a deeper into this with me, our folks, he is a senior researcher at the israel democracy institute. welcome. thank you for taking the time to speak with us. i want to start by assuming just for a moment that the protests do go unheard. and that plans to curb the supreme court become a reality in israel. what would that change? it's will take away the only check or balance that is ro, democracy has news. well we don't have them by camel parliament. we don't have a president with a veto power. and if we don't, we're not subject to an international call that human course of the european court of human rights. so the only thing we do have to preserve some kind of checks and balances and preserve human rights. is our supreme court that has some powerful, judicial review. what this, what we call a overhaul is to take away this power and have a powerful overriding every and for the king, the simple majority of $61.00, which is a 51 percent. and also they will have complete power on then on the nation to the court. so it will be a very hollow democracy, which the majority can do actually w

thank you so much for that guy, laurie from the israel democracy institute. thank you very tall stories making headlines around the world. at least 16 people have been killed after a heavy rain triggered massive land slides in southern ecuador, mudslides, i hate in the middle of the night, burying dozens of homes and in the village of allows. here several people are missing and rescues of racing to clear the debris. school teacher has died after being stabbed by a 13 year old student in the brazilian city of south. paolo, 3 other teachers, and 2 students will also attacked their authority, say the injuries mine at least 50 times. the attack of questioning us vice president, pamela harris as hell talks with don as a president, nana a cooper, i do in the capitol acro. ms. harris is expected to announce that nearly $140000000.00 in assistance for the west african nation. and she will also visit tanzania and zambia as part of washington's push to deepen ties with the continent. german chancellor, all i've shown says germany has delivered on its pledge to provide

phil: thank you so much for that, guy lurie from the israel democracy institute.uest: thank you for having me. phil: a brief look at some stories making headlines around the world. we start in spain where firefighters in the east of the country are still battling to contain the first major wildfire ofhe season five days after it began. the blaze forced more than 1500 people to leave their homes. officials blamed the early start of the fire season on climate change. at least 16 have been killed after heavy rains triggered landslides in southern ecuador. the mudslides hit in the middle of the night burying dozens of homes in one village. several people are missing, rescuers are racing to clear the debris. finland is one step closer to joining nato, after hungary's parliament approved its bid by a narrow majority. it is one of the last nato members to ratify finland's accession. only turkey remains. anchor has announced its intention to vote on finland's dip soon -- bid soon. german chancellor scholz says germany provided ukraine with 18 leopard 2 battle tanks. they

israel democracy _ itself. professor yuval shany from the israel democracy institute, . itself. democracy institute, we appreciate you talking to us. just to return to the breaking news, that prince harry has arrived at the high court in london, it is for a hearing in his claim against the publisher of the daily mail newspaper. it is over alleged phone tapping and other breaches of privacy it is the first hearing in a lawsuit being brought ijy hearing in a lawsuit being brought by the duke of sussex along with the singer sir eltonjohn and other high—profile figures. the new leader of the scottish national party will be revealed later. the scottish health secretary humza yousaf, the finance secretary kate forbes and ash regan, a former minister, are the three contenders hoping to become first minister. whoever wins the top job will take on a fractured party and a country facing a number of policy challenges. our scotland editor james cook reports. for the snp, this has been a difficult campaign. splits have emerged on the economy, social issues such as gay marriage and a lack of p

let's speak now to amichai cohen, he's a senior fellow at the israel democracy institute. have become more polarised and not less in the discussion that has gone on. what do you think is the fundamental point about thesejudicial you think is the fundamental point about these judicial reforms? why do they matter so much, whether you are in favour or against them? thea;r in favour or against them? they matter so _ in favour or against them? they matter so much _ in favour or against them? they matter so much because - in favour or against them? they matter so much because if - matter so much because if passed, they will make the government, and especially, a very small group within the government, the nucleus of the leaders of the coalition, people who have political power without limitations. israeli politics is very centralised, all power is centred, political power, within a very small group of people and without effective judicial review, there will be no checks and balances in their power. itruihat review, there will be no checks and balances in their power. what about

israel democracy president institute joining us now to give us an update.f maybe the prime minister is willing now to backtrack a little bit, maybe to push these reforms off to later this year. did the protests we have seen over the last 24 to 48 hours therefore succeed and are we done with this for now? >> it seems like we are waiting for the prime minister's formal statement. it seems this judicial overhaul plan will be suspended until the end of the summer session of the israeli parliament, somewhere in july. this gives us a few months of suspension and an opportunity to achieve the constitutional arrangements in a broad consensus, which is what the country really needs. it is not protests over the last week or so, those are three months of protests of hundreds of thousands of israelis going out of their homes every week. last night, within half an hour of the prime minister's decision to sack the defense minister, around this protest against overall, around half a million israelis went out to defend their democracy, the trade unions, the big businesses,

see this as a threat to a israel democracy, to the democratic institutions many to the nations supreme court. they want this, these government plans to stop and also they want the government to stop this very hasty process and pushing this legislation through the kinessa through the israeli a parliament we have seen tonight. and another unusual address of the israeli president isaac, has, again addressing of the nation after this day of protest. it was a very emotional address. yes. been saying that he is really bleeding with all sides to come to compromise. we know that he is working on a compromise with different stake holders. he said this could be very thing he actually called the right wing and it just government basically dropped the legislation as it is right now. passing a to turn instead to an agreed upon one that was tommy kramer in jerusalem. we seem to be having issues with the sound there. i apologize for that. now we want to take a look at some of the other stories making headlines around the world today. in nigeria, at least 6 people were killed when a train plowed into

they see this as a threat to israel's democracy, to the democratic institutions, to the nation's supremeourt. they want these government plans to stop and also they want the government to stop this very hasty process of pushing this legislation through the knesset, through the israeli parliament. we have seen tonight in an another unusual address, the israeli president again addressing the nation after this day of protests. it was a very emotional address. he has been saying that he is really bleeding with all sides to come to a compromise. we know that he is working on a compromise with different stakeholders. he said this could be very -- [indiscernible] he actually called the right wing government to basically drop the legislation as it is right now, passing -- to turn instead to an agreed-upon plan. nicole: that was tania kramer in jerusalem. we seem to be having issues with the sound there. i apologize for that. now we want to take a look at some of the other stories making headlines around the world. today in nigeria, at least six people were killed when a train plowed into a publi

madam speaker, as president biden recently said, the genius of israel and america's democracy is they are both built on strong institutions, on checks and balances, and on an independent judiciary. israel's checks and balances, its independent judiciary faced an attack from its own, from its own prime minister netanyahu. he tried to implement so-called judicial reforms that would turn israel's courts into nothing more than an enforcement tool for his policies. by undermining the independent judiciary and disregarding the rule of law, sadly, israel's own prime minister threatens the very foundation on which israel's democracy depends. israel must remain a democracy that protects and lifts all of its citizens, israeli and palestinian. we all want to see a safe and succeeding israel and to be pro-israel means always to be pro-democracy. i celebrate the estimated more than 600,000 israeli protesters who knew they needed to stand up for their nation, for their democracy, who took to the streets against the blatant disregard for institutions, checks and balances, and an independent judiciary. aapplaud their bravery that made it

one of the key components of a democracy and israel is a democracy, and one of the great things we share, our two countries share are basic fundamental democratic institutions and principles and one of them is the broadest base of support for major changes like this. changes which affect the system of checks and balances. >> thanks. one question first on the summit. administration has said that an invitation to the summit is not some sort of stamp on whether the country is a democracy or not, but when it comes to those who were not invited, for example, two nato allies, hungary and turkey, what was the reasoning behind not inviting them? >> i think addressed this a little bit yesterday. two nato allies, we value their participation in the alliance, of course, and that's important. decisions about invitations as you rightly said, we have said, it's not some sort of mark of approval or disapproval, but it's based on a lot of things, particularly progress towards basic human and civil rights and freedom of the press. free assembly, peaceful assembly. those kinds of commitments. we look at a lot of factors here when we put together the invite list. >> if i coul

institution of democracy. we are now seeing that the state is attacking many democratic rights and this phenomenon in various countries and france with its pension reform and israelthis rapid judicial reform. he was rightly spoken of cargo different behavior. only the state has. here, oh, i'm talking about, some states hear these protests and retreat, like in israel or georgia and some go to the breach, as it continues now. this one in france. that's it . i can rightly agree with you. you are right it has some. the connection with the fact that our state is also on this path, and we see that our society somehow agrees with this with the tightening of a variety of norms of rules. well i want to remind you 2001 from the united states of america patriots, where society, of course, generally just uh generally in a regime that we are familiar with unanimously supported. uh, so to speak , the curtailment of a number of democratic freedoms and rights for the sake of security. so it was , so to speak, declared somehow it was done. well, today the protests in israel are really subsiding , among other things, because a number of trade unions actively participating in these

american democracy and israeli democracy is that they are both built armstrong institutions on checks and balances. and on and independent judiciary. also visit to israel is yet another 10 by jo biden's administration to play immediate role here in the region in hand to try to de escalate the situation. since the beginning of this year had number of high ranking american officials like national security advisers, secretary of state visited israel, expressing their concerns over mounting tension is trying to de escalate the situation. but as we can see, things are only boiling on the ground. appreciate joining us for this light program from moscow. we'll be back in just about 3 minutes. ah ah. in 1935 fascists, italy, led by dictator benito mussolini decided to expand its colonial empire in africa and take over ethiopia. by that time, ethiopia was the only fully independent state on the continent. back in 1896, it's inhabitants were able to defeat the italian colonists and defend their independence. since then, rome craved for revenge for the humiliating defeat. in the morning of october, 3, 1935. without any announcement, the fascists attacked ethiopia

where you've had anti democracy leaders that have been able to literally break institutions and you can't describe those countries as full democracies anymore. the real question with israel is which of those two camps israel's in and i suspect, we will find that it is strongly in the former camp. one other thing we wanted to get your perspective on. is putin saying they're going to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to neighboring belarus? do you think he's bluffing? and if he's not what's the significance of that? irrespective of whether his blustering or not, he is rattling nuclear sabers yet again after being told by the chinese repeatedly we don't want you to do that so interesting. that company did after she left after she left belarus only nominally sovereign as a country . it's not like president lukashenko has any choice. if putin says he's going to put them there. this is in principle, a response to the decision of the us and uk to send depleted uranium shells to ukraine to be used in in battle against the russians. having said all of that the problem here is for the americans is that no matter where the ukraine war goes, the fight that the west has with russia is

american democracy and israeli democracy is that they are both built on strong institutions, on checks and balances. and on and independent judiciary. also visit to israel is yet another attempt by jo biden's administration to play a media role here in the region in hand to try to de escalate the situation. since the beginning of this year had number of high ranking american officials like national security advisers, secretary of state visited israel, expressing their concerns over mounting tensions trying to.

american democracy and israeli democracy is that they are both built on strong institutions, on checks and balances, and on an independent judiciary. also visit to israel is yet another tab by jo biden's administration to play a media role here in the region in hand to try to de escalate the situation. since the beginning of this year had a number of high ranking american officials like national security advisors, secretary of state, visited israel, expressing their concerns over mounting tension is trying to de escalate the situation. but as we can see, things are only boiling on the ground. so and thomas discovers the ancient secrets of li, like color next, and we'll be hearing some of the out with ah lake by call, a magical place, fantastical ice clean water is a dramatic geography. and of course, a unique echo system which is developed over the past 25 to 35000000 years. and of course, a place like this just beckons you to come and experience it off for yourself. mm. confer with to discover what's amazing ice is all about. we're going on board this hovercraft. jen will be joined by biologist maxime to say if he's been studying the wonders of by cal

democracy and israel is a democracy. it's one of the great things we -- our two countries share is fundamental democratic institutions andnciples and one of them is public support for major changes. the change would affect the system of checks and balances. host: a couple of final comments on social media -- we will open up the phone lines for another 25 minutes or so on open forum, chance for you to call in on this issue or any other policy or political issue you are following in the news. the lines of status same, democrats, (202) 748-8000, republicans (202) 748-8001 an independent and others, (202) 748-8002. it is open forum so you can weigh in on the u.s.-israel relationship or other items in the news to clearly in the public policy and political realm you are following. news this morning of a u.s. journalist detained in russia from the bbc -- that's from the bbc. let's go first to darius in new orleans on the democrat line, open forum. good morning. caller: yes, these republicans are calling in and talking about the democrats, we try to do the same thing that the israelis are doing. first of all, benjamin netanyahu

american democracy and israeli democracy is that they are both built on strong institutions, on checks and balances. and on an independent judiciary. also visit to israel is yet another tab by jo biden's administration to play a mid year role here in the region in hand to try to de escalate the situation. since the beginning of this year had number of high ranking american officials like national security advisers, secretary of state, visited israel, expressing their concerns over mounting tension is trying to de escalate the situation. but as we can see, things are only boiling on the ground. well, the pentagon chief also visited iraq and jordan during his mid east trip, again, showing america's commitment to security in the region. and i guess he must know what he's talking about with reminding your secretary lloyd austin used to be one of the board members of raphael, one of the biggest us weapons manufacturers in the world. your program returns the top of the hour and a mm hm. a by tricia to bomb with mr to as a law on the wall. jason, a question for you to see if it was the one with the decision ah.

american democracy and israeli democracy is that they are both built on strong institutions, on checks and balances. and on an independent judiciary. also visit to israel is yet another time by till biden's administration to pull.

american democracy and israeli democracy is that they are both built armstrong institutions on checks and balances. and on and independent judiciary, also visit to israel is yet another 10 by jo biden's administration to play a media role here in the region in hand to try to de escalate the situation. since the beginning of this year had number of high ranking american officials, like national security adviser, secretary of state, visited israel, expressing their concerns over mounting tension is trying to de escalate the situation. but as we can see, things are only boiling on the ground. wow, that's all from me tonight. i'll make it in a val has close to my colleague, roy. see, she'll be with you and i'll be out. i'm on home. i'll meet with ah ah. hello and welcome to cross stock. were all things are considered on peter levels. the sabotage of the north stream pipelines was back in the headlines in a big way. american and german media hint that some so called pro ukraine group might have been behind the attack. little evidence was provided is the west starting to have 2nd thoughts about the kid regime cross talking ukraine. i'm joined by my guess, wi

american democracy and israeli democracy is that they are both built armstrong institutions on checks and balances. and on and independent judiciary, also visit to israel is yet another 10 by jo biden's administration to play a media role here in the region in hand to try to de escalate the situation. since the beginning of this year had number of high ranking american officials like national security adviser, secretary of state, visited israel, expressing their concerns over mounting tension is trying to de escalate the situation. but as we can see, things are only boiling on the ground. the supposed threat from iran has been a key focus of talk says the u. s. secretary of defense met with who's really counterpart, lloyd austin. so that t, ron was the main de stabilizing force in the middle east and he pledged washington support for television. now as you'd expect and you heard the minister say much of our discussion today focused on the threat posed by iran. iran remains the primary driver of instability in the region. however, lloyd austin's comments came in the same week that is your old targeted earthquake stricken syria seriously damaging the ale

of american democracy in israeli democracy is that they are both built on strong institutions, on checks and balances. and on an independent judiciary. also visit to israel is yet another 10 by jo biden's administration to play a media role here in the region in hand to try to de escalate the situation. since the beginning of this year had number of high ranking american officials like national security advisers, secretary of state visited israel, expressing their concerns over mounting tension is trying to de escalate the situation. but as we can see, things are only boiling on the ground. lloyd also went on to reiterate the us, the citizen iran, to be the main threat chief security, the ban nissan. he plays support israel now as you'd expect. and you heard the minister say, much of our discussion today focused on the threats posed by iran. iran remains the primary driver of instability in the region. lloyd austin's comments came in the same week that israel thomas it earthquake stricken syria, seriously damaging the aleppo apple which holds it. you may return, aid supplies to the country. days before that. israel's military conducted several dead. the

democracy that what israel has been until now to potential authoritarian democracy would mean that you elected official that person that prime minister will have control over all branches. all powers fall in government institutions. and you know the ultimate thing that's happening here. this outpour this cry for help and for the democracy to be preserved as a way for people to stand up and continue their service to the country. you mentioned the national security issues. well israelis, as you know, abby serve a compulsory military service. most men and women serve their country for three years for two years. a lot of these protesters where people who came from the ranks of israel's reserves, the military , the serving military small this country relies heavily on reservists. and if we don't have reservists, how would be able to meet the challenges that we face along our borders? whether it's hezbollah in the north hamas in the south, or iran, which continues with its pursuit of a nuclear weapon, so if the military starts to fall apart, that could be extremely dangerous. we only have a second left. but just as it's the evening there in televisa, and you're seeing so many protesters counter protesters on the stree

american democracy and israeli democracy is that they are both built on strong institution, checks and balances an independent judiciary as we know, there are troubling crises in israelhat is it the united states can do? and others in conversation or conversations held yesterday to push back against what's going on to undermine institutions and undermine independent judiciary there. , what are we going to move forward with the two state solution, is there any hope?th >> we see vibrancy of israel's democracy everyday as they have this debate about the future of their judiciary that's to israel's credit as israel's closest friend and strongest supporter, we talk about these issues all the time and as president biden said i think aptly and eloquently for both of us when with the significant reforms, i think we both found in history the best way to have a sustainable outcome and support is to find consensus which usually requires compromise on all sides so our hope is that's what they will do but it's not for us to tell them what to do or how they should do it, they have a strong democratic system. >> your time has expired. we want to keep you on time so the chair recogn

democracy and israeli democracy is that they are both built on strong institutions, checks and balances in the independent judiciary. as we know there are troubling crises in israelwhat is at the united states can do? there was a conversation held yesterday to push back against what is going on to undermine institutions and the independent judiciary at the peril of israeli citizens jews and arabs both what are we moving doing to move forward with a two state solution. >> we see that every single day as they have the debate about the future of the judiciary and that is to israel's credit as israel's closest friend and strongest supporter we talk about these issues all the time and as president biden said very eloquently for both of us when we are looking at significant reforms i think we both found in the history the best way to have a sustainable outcome is to find consensus that usually requires compromise on all sides so our hope is that's what they will do but it's not for us they have a strong democratic system. >> we want to keep you on time mr. secretary. >> thank you. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thank you secretary blinken for being here with us and it is