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Is Abbas overstepping his authority with decision to form new court?

The Palestinian government is working on establishing a High Criminal Court and amending the penal code enforced in the West Bank, in a move that many view as an encroachment of the legislative authority by the executive branch.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas chairs a Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, May 4, 2016. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman   - RTX2CU11
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RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian public prosecution, the Supreme Judicial Council and the Bar Association are currently studying a draft law on the formation of a High Criminal Court in the West Bank. The draft was submitted by the Palestinian Ministry of Justice for them to offer comments.

The Ministry of Justice is seeking to get legal comments on the draft law prior to its submission to the Council of Ministers, which will examine and discuss the draft before voting on it through the three readings for approval and publication on the websites of the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Justice. Before the end of the year, the draft is then sent to President Mahmoud Abbas in order for him to issue a decree, Palestinian Justice Minister Ali Abu Diak told Al-Monitor.

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