Axios

The Israeli parliament has passed the first bill of the Netanyahu government's controversial judicial overhaul plan in a vote that was boycotted by the opposition and took place amid mass anti-government protests.

Why it matters: The plan, which will weaken the Supreme Court and other democratic institutions, has faced opposition from some of Israel's closest allies, including the Biden administration, and it has already destabilized the country's economy and military.

An estimated 4.2 billion people around the world were affected by governmental internet restrictions during the first half of 2023, according to a new report by Surfshark.

Why it matters: Governments have repeatedly used internet restrictions this year to stifle dissent by limiting human rights, manipulating elections and imposing religious values onto their populations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a pre-recorded speech on Monday that he is willing to give four months for talks with the opposition on a comprehensive agreement on additional parts of his government's contentious judicial overhaul plan.

Why it matters: Despite mass protests, Netanyahu's coalition earlier Monday unilaterally passed legislation that limits the Supreme Court’s authority to review the government’s decisions and policies. Netanyahu called the law “a needed Democratic step."

The White House on Monday said it was "unfortunate" that Israel's Knesset passed "with the slimmest possible majority" a bill that limits the ability of the country's Supreme Court to review government decisions.

Why it matters: The Biden administration, including the U.S. president, has for months publicly and privately urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to unilaterally move forward with the legislation, and instead try to reach a broad consensus with the opposition.

Russian authorities accused Ukraine of launching drone strikes in Moscow and Crimea on Monday, even as Russian attacks on Ukraine continued.

Driving the news: Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin wrote in a Telegram post that Ukrainian drones struck two non-residential buildings in Moscow, though no casualties or serious damage was reported.

Israel's parliament on Monday passed the Netanyahu coalition's controversial bill that will significantly limit the Supreme Court's ability to review government decisions, despite mass protests and pressure from the Biden administration to not rush the vote.

Why it matters: It's the first piece of legislation that is part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul — a plan that has destabilized Israel's economy, military and foreign relations.

The UN's World Meteorological Organization says it's examining potential new temperature records from "intense heatwaves" that are sweeping the southern U.S., parts of Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

Driving the news: "Climate change and temperature increase has spurred a surge in reports of record weather and climate extremes, especially for heat," per a WMO statement. The WMO warns the extreme heat is intensifying in some places and may last into August.

Ukraine's forces have retaken about 50% of its territory that Russia's invading military initially seized, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday.

Driving the news: "In terms of what Russia sought to achieve, what Putin sought to achieve, they’ve already failed, they've already lost," Blinken said during an interview broadcast Sunday on CNN.

President Biden in a statement to Axios called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to move forward with the planned Israeli Knesset vote on a bill that is part of the government's judicial overhaul, saying he is highly concerned about the legislation and its potential implications.

The big picture: Thousands of Israeli reservists, including fighter pilots and members of the intelligence, cyber and special operations units in the IDF, have said in recent days they will not report to duty if the bill, which would limit the ability of the country's Supreme Court to review government actions, passes in the Knesset. The vote is scheduled for Monday.