Global geopolitical Series: Israel amends law giving war powers to Prime Minister and Defense Minster

Israeli parliament approved a law on Monday that would allow Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the defense minister of Israel to declare war unilaterally without any parliamentary approval. The move came amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran. Both countries have threatened each other by military means. In the latest move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu using elaborated presentations and documents accused Iran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons, while a deal was being agreed between Iran and other world powers.

The Israeli bill was initially intended to transfer power to declare war from the cabinet as a whole to the security cabinet, a move designed to prevent leaks, which had the support of the coalition and leading figures in the opposition. However, at the last minute, Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman succeeded in passing an amendment giving the prime minister and the defense minister the right to decide on their own in extreme circumstances.

Because it was a proposed Basic Law, the bill needed to be passed with the support of an absolute majority of at least 61 members. It passed by a vote of 62 to 41 with the amendment included.