Dhaka, March 28 -- Israel's parliament on Thursday passed a key component of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan, sparking criticism from opponents who view it as a power grab by his far-right government.

The controversial reforms had triggered mass protests in 2023 before Hamas' Oct. 7 attack and the subsequent war in Gaza. The revival of the plans in recent weeks has fueled fresh demonstrations over Netanyahu's handling of the Gaza hostage crisis and his moves to sideline top officials.

The newly passed law grants the government greater influence over judicial appointments. It reallocates two of the nine seats on the Judicial Selection Committee-currently held by the Israeli Bar Association-to lawyers selected b...