It was not business as usual in the Supreme Court Dec. 22. In fact, it was one of the most unusual cases ever taken on by the court. At the center of the hearing was the Nationality Law, passed by the Knesset just two years ago after years of controversy. It anchors the Jewish character of the State of Israel.
But more so, the hearing was unusual because it focused on a Basic Law. Israel has no constitution; thus, Basic Laws have the status of constitutional amendments. Proposed bills at the Knesset must not contradict Basic Laws, and the Supreme Court had never repealed one.
