Part Two
The Structure of the Government and its Reduction
A variety of modifications and reforms must be made in the structure of government in order to expand civil liberties on the one hand and to strengthen governance on the other.
The Reduction of Government Ministries
The current structure of government is characterized by a cumbersome and wasteful mechanism that makes it difficult to implement policy. Zehut proposes a limited and efficient government structure in which only 11 ministers will serve, instead of the 29 serving today. In addition, this limited structure will significantly reduce the government's financial expenses.
The structure of government that Zehut proposes includes the following ministries: The Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Jewry, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Resources and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and Housing.
Opposition to Excessive Legislation
As part of the concept of civil liberty, Zehut views over-legislation as a negative phenomenon. Zehut intends to oppose laws that have no real need and to act to eliminate unnecessary laws.
The Community Model:
Decisions on the nature of the public space must be in the hands of the communities, not the government. Zehut will promote a community model in which local authorities will be divided into small and homogeneous communities and will receive some of the powers currently reserved for the state or local authority.
Among the many powers that will be passed on to the community are laws relating to the nature of Shabbat, noise laws, laws relating to art, landscape, stalls, fairs and street performances.
The Legal System:
Since the constitutional revolution led by Aharon Barak, the principle of separation of powers has been violated, with the Supreme Court appropriating too many powers for itself. Zehut will act to create the following changes in order to reduce the court's powers and restore the balance between the systems:
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The court will not be able to intervene in questions of essence and in matters of a political nature.
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If the High Court of Justice finds a flaw in a law enacted by the Knesset and deems it unacceptable, the Knesset will have to reauthorize the law. If it has done so, the High Court will not be able to nullify the law.
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The Judicial Appointment Committee, in addition to the Minister of Justice, shall be composed only of members of Knesset who have been elected by the Knesset by secret ballot.
● The "right of standing"[1] principle will be reinstated, and the use of the tools of reasonableness and active interpretation of the law will be restricted.
In addition, Zehut will make a series of amendments regarding the role of the Attorney General:
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The role of the Attorney General and the position of Head of Prosecution (the State Attorney's Office) will be split and will no longer be held by one person.
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The government may appoint an attorney to represent it in court, and may appoint and dismiss its legal advisor.
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The tenure of the Attorney General will end upon the end of the government's term of office.
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Elected officials will not be obliged to comply with the advice of their legal advisor.
[1]The right of standing is a threshold condition required of a person to file a legal action, according to which the plaintiff is required to be the one who was harmed by the wrongdoing for which the claim was filed.