Commentaries by Ronen Avraham

Knesset Passage of ‘Reasonableness Amendment’ Still Leaves Room for Democratic Dialogue in Israel

© JURIST / Paz Burd

Knesset Passage of ‘Reasonableness Amendment’ Still Leaves Room for Democratic Dialogue in Israel

July 25, 2023 11:51:29 am

Israel took a significant step closer to a constitutional crisis on July 24, 2023, when the controversial “Reasonableness Amendment” passed its final readings in the Israeli Parliament (the Knesset), becoming law by a 64-0 vote that occurred while the opposition left the Knesset in protest. The amendment aims to reshape the grounds for judicial review [...]

THIS DAY @ LAW

District of Columbia named seat of US government

On July 16, 1790, the District of Columbia was established as the permanent seat of the United States government by the Residence Act. Originally the district contained land on both sides of the Potomac, grants from Maryland and Virginia, but in the mid-19th century, when it was obvious that the major government buildings were being built on the Maryland side, Virginia asked for its land back and received it. Learn more about the District of Columbia.

Saddam Hussein becomes President of Iraq

On July 16, 1979, Hasan al-Bakr resigned as President of Iraq. He was replaced by Saddam Hussein, who held power until he was deposed by American forces in 2003. In 2006, Hussein was tried and convicted of crimes against humanity. He was executed by hanging later that year. Learn more about relations between the United States and Saddam Hussein from George Washington University.