Bill to sidestep Israeli high court criticized

JERUSALEM — Israeli lawmakers are criticizing a bill proposed by the justice minister that would allow parliament to strike down Supreme Court decisions with a narrow majority.

It's the latest in a string of legislation by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government that critics say stifle dissent.

The new bill, proposed late last week, stipulates that if parliament passes a law which the Supreme Court rejects, parliament members can vote to keep the law and renew it indefinitely.

The defense minister and opposition politicians criticized the bill over the weekend, while the parliament speaker and Cabinet secretary supported it.