Latest news with #judicialreforms
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fact check: Netanyahu, Smotrich's claim of $1b. Biden aid to judicial reform foes debunked
Netanyahu's endorsement of the false claim came in the form of the sharing of a post by the Likud party from Friday afternoon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and other members of the government and coalition falsely claimed on Saturday and Sunday that the former US administration led by President Joe Biden provided nearly 1 billion dollars in aid to Israeli groups who protested the government's controversial 2023 judicial reforms. Netanyahu's endorsement of the false claim came in the form of the sharing of a post by the Likud party from Friday afternoon. The Likud's post citeda report by the US Committee on the Judiciary published a day earlier. According to the Likud and Netanyahu, "An official document published by the US Congress reveals astonishing information confirming what many have long suspected: the previous US administration transferred close to a billion dollars to left-wing organizations in Israel." The data provided by the report, however, show that the maximum government funds that reached the protest groups in question were less than $600,000. The Likud and Netanyahu called the efforts an attempt to "undermine the rule of a democratically elected, stable right-wing government,' adding that "as part of the attempt to overthrow the government, external pressures were applied, leading to a deep social rift, encouragement of disobedience, and dangerous divisions within Israeli society." In a conference on Sunday morning, Smotrich repeated the false claim. 'Over the weekend, a report was released by the US Congress Judiciary Committee revealing that nearly one billion dollars were transferred to approximately 1,000 NGOs with the aim of dismantling the right-wing government and the broader national camp. This is reportedly being supported not only through funding but also by the mobilization of media and academia in service of this campaign.' 'If anyone is wondering what the government has had to face from the moment it was formed, and what challenges it continues to contend with, this event must be understood first, before delving into discussions about its achievements, successes, and failures,' Smotrich concluded. The report listed a large number of anti-judicial reform organizations and cited various funding sources. However, a large majority of the funds listed in the report either did not originate from the US government or did not reach the organizations in question. The report noted that Congress's Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Foreign Affairs on March 26 sent letters to six US and Israeli non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to request 'documents related to any grants, cooperative agreements, or other awards received from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) or State Department.' The NGOs in question The six NGOs were Blue and White Future, Movement for Quality Government in Israel, PEF Israel Endowment Funds, Jewish Communal Fund, Middle East Peace Dialogue Network, and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA). According to the report, the organizations produced 380 total documents. According to the report, between 2021-2024 PEF Israel Endowment Funds, which provided some 18 million USD to the protest group Blue and White Future (BWF), received some $187,000 from the RPA, which itself received approximately 50 million USD in grants from the Biden administration during the same period. The report does not specify whether the $187,000 of aid were part of the funds transferred to the protest groups, nor how much of it was received after the protests began in early 2023. The report mentions a second grant as originating in the RPA that reached anti-judicial reform groups. According to the report, between 2021-2024 RPA donated $557,000 to its 'affiliate and partner' Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF), which in 2023 donated $370,000 to three groups affiliated with the protests – Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP), New Israel Fund (NIF), and 'Brothers and Sisters in Arms.' Following the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, the latter organization ceased protests and launched a logistics center based on philanthropy and volunteers to assist IDF reservists and civilian evacuees. The report did not specify whether or not the RBF funds were given before or after October 7. The report also mentions $42,000 in direct aid from the US government to the Movement for Quality Government in Israel (MQG). MQG was a central organization in the protests, but the funds in question were earmarked for educational activities for students in the 11th and 12th grades. A series of other contributions listed in the report to a number of organizations either did not originate in US federal funding, or did not reach protest organizations. The Likud claim about nearly 1 billion USD in aid may have originated in a stat in the report, noting that PEF Israel Endowment Funds, according to which 'between 2021 and 2024, PEF, a US-based tax-exempt entity, provided more than $884 million to over 1,000 Israeli organizations, including groups involved in the judicial reform.' However, the report does not provide proof of any state funding that may have reached PEF other than the aforementioned $187,000, and the sum of grants that the report lists as originating from the US government is below $600,000. The actual number is likely far less, since the grants in question were provided between 2021-2024 and therefore likely came in part before the announcement of the judicial reforms in January 2023. The report also assumes that the grants provided by RPA came specifically from its income from federal funds, even though the organization receives private funding as well. Solve the daily Crossword
Free Malaysia Today
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
No timeframe, but judicial concerns should be settled earliest possible, says Bar
Malaysian Bar president Ezri Abdul Wahab said about 1,600 Bar members took part in the walk, showing strong support from the legal community for urgent judicial reforms. PUTRAJAYA : The Malaysian Bar has called on the government to urgently address concerns over judicial independence and vacancies in the judiciary, but said it was not setting a specific deadline. Speaking after the Bar's 'Walk to Safeguard Judicial Independence' from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister's Office this afternoon, its president, Ezri Abdul Wahab, said the gathering was a reminder to the government that issues plaguing the judiciary must not be ignored. 'We are pleased to announce the success of the walk from the Palace of Justice to the PMO. 'All were united in our call to address the pressing concerns regarding the independence of the judiciary, particularly the ongoing vacancies, the need for institutional continuity, and a more transparent and accountable judicial process,' he told reporters. Ezri said about 1,600 Bar members had taken part in the walk, showing strong support from the legal community for urgent judicial reforms. He also said the Bar had submitted a memorandum to legal affairs department director-general Zamri Misman, who received it on behalf of the PMO. 'The director-general said he will deliver the memo to the prime minister,' he said. Asked about the contents of the memorandum, Ezri said it focused on the critical shortage of judges in the judiciary, which is affecting the administration of justice. 'We also asked for the judicial vacancies to be filled. The ongoing vacancies are worrying, and there are cases fixed as far as 2030. This will cripple court operations and negatively impact litigants,' he said. Ezri stressed that the Bar was not claiming that the judiciary was no longer independent, but cautioned that recent developments and public discourse may be undermining its integrity. 'We have seen a lot of media statements and talk on social media that could jeopardise the independence of the judiciary. We want that to be settled and are asking the government to resolve it as soon as possible. There is no timeframe,' he said. He also confirmed that there were no plans for another walk if the concerns raised were not addressed. 'No, this is it. This is just a reminder to the government. If not, other action will follow,' he said, adding that the Bar would discuss its next steps at its extraordinary general meeting on July 26. Among the notable figures spotted at the rally were former Bar presidents Ambiga Sreenevasan and Karen Cheah, PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Pendang MP Awang Hashim, former attorney-general Tommy Thomas and former Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim.
CNA
15-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Malaysian Bar leads lawyers' march to PM Anwar's office
More than a thousand people, including lawyers and politicians, marched to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's office in Putrajaya on Monday (Jul 14) to hand over a memorandum demanding urgent action on judicial reforms amid allegations of interference in the appointments of top judges. This comes after lawmakers, including some from PM Anwar's own party, called on him to address the issue. CNA's Melissa Goh reports.
Free Malaysia Today
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt to study other nations' best practices in appointing judges
(From left) Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol, law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said and Selayang MP William Leong during their meeting on judicial reforms today. (Prime Minister's Department pic) PETALING JAYA : The government will embark on a study of the best practices of other countries in appointing judges, as part of reforming Malaysia's judicial appointments system. Law and institutional reform minister Azalina Othman Said said a preliminary comparative research will be held involving the systems being used in selected countries, namely the UK, India, Australia and Singapore. She said this was agreed by senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol and Selayang MP William Leong during a meeting on judicial reforms earlier today. The pair lead parliamentary committees on law review and institutional reforms, respectively. 'This research will give us a holistic understanding of the judicial appointment process in countries with similar systems, allowing Malaysia to evaluate the need for reforms and to adapt these best practices according to our nation's context,' she said. In a statement, Azalina said the government welcomed the public's views and feedback on the matter, adding that it would take an inclusive approach given the importance of the topic. 'The government is committed to strengthening public confidence by implementing reforms based on evidence and transparency,' she added. Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and several other PKR MPs had called for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) and a parliamentary committee hearing following the delays in the appointment of top judicial positions, including that of the chief justice. Chief Judge of Malaya Hasnah Hashim is serving as acting chief justice following Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat's retirement, while Federal Court judge Zabariah Yusof is the acting Court of Appeal president after Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim retired last week. Earlier today, Istana Negara urged all parties against politicising the appointment of judges to top judicial positions, saying these appointments must be handled carefully, with integrity and in line with the constitution.
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia, Japan sign deal to boost judicial cooperation
TOKYO — Saudi Minister of Justice Walid Al-Samaani met with his Japanese counterpart Keisuke Suzuki during an official visit to Tokyo to discuss enhancing judicial ties between the two countries. Al-Samaani highlighted the Kingdom's recent legal and judicial reforms, supported by the Saudi leadership, including the implementation of specialized legislation aimed at achieving prompt and transparent justice. He emphasized advancements such as real-time audio and video documentation of court hearings — both in-person and through virtual litigation — as well as the publication of judicial rulings and the expansion of preventive justice through notarization of enforceable contracts. During the meeting, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at deepening cooperation in the judicial field. The agreement enables the exchange of legal expertise and best practices in areas such as legislation, capacity building, and dispute resolution. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
