Thirty consecutive weeks (and counting) of increasingly violent street protests seeking to unseat Israel’s governing coalition – but failing to do so – have led to the unprecedented decision to call 15 Supreme Court judges to the bench.

According to media reports, Supreme Court President Esther Hayut decided Monday that the full court would, on September 12, preside over “the hugely significant and explosive hearing” against what is known as the “reasonableness” law.

The legislation, which came into effect last week, ended the judges’ ability to scupper Knesset-passed laws which they – the judges – consider unreasonable.

Coming against this, it seems, Hayut plans a “full court press”. (def.: make a strong effort to influence by putting pressure.)

Legal experts have questioned the lawfulness of any ruling that might emerge because

a) the law applies to the court itself – meaning there is clearly a conflict of interest, and,

b) it is an amendment to one of the country’s Basic Laws; the closest thing Israel has to a constitution.

According to the ruling Likud party, Israel’s governments “have always been careful to respect...