Israel's highest court is facing a critical test of its independence as it reviews legal challenges to a controversial law enacted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The law, which has sparked the largest protests in the country's history, is the first major piece of legislation in Netanyahu's broader program to overhaul the country's system of government.

Civil society groups and other opponents have filed petitions asking the Supreme Court to strike down the law, arguing that it undermines democracy and diminishes the court's role as a check on the powers of the prime minister and his majority coalition in parliament. On the other hand, supporters of Netanyahu's far-right, ultra-Orthodox government claim that the law is necessary to prevent unelected judges from interfering with the decisions of elected lawmakers. They argue that the court should not be able to rule on a law that limits its own authority.

The Supreme Court now faces immense public pressure to strike down the law, but doing so could potentially lead to a crisis over the balance of power between the court and the government. Amir Fuchs, a senior researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, warns that without judicial review, the Knesset (Israeli parliament) would have total power, undermining the principles of checks and balances.

The controversy surrounding the law has triggered widespread protests in Israel, with hundreds of thousands of citizens taking to the streets for the past seven months. The Biden administration and the European Union have expressed concerns about the situation, emphasizing the importance of preserving the core values that underpin their partnerships with Israel.

Israel's closest allies fear that pushing through the judicial overhaul in the face of mass opposition could undermine democratic principles and the independence of the judiciary. The lack of a constitution in Israel means that the Supreme Court's oversight role is crucial in safeguarding against corruption and political appointments of unqualified candidates to important positions.

As the protests continue on the streets, opponents are also turning to the Supreme Court for support, hoping that the justices will intervene and protect the court from the government's overhaul plans. The outcome of the court's review will have far-reaching implications for Israel's system of government and the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive.

The law passed on Monday specifically strips the Supreme Court of certain powers, further intensifying the already heated debate over the future of Israel's democracy. The court's decision on the legal challenges will determine whether Netanyahu's government can ignore the ruling, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis over who holds ultimate authority in the country.