Israel’s top judge has lashed out at the justice minister’s plans to overhaul the judicial system, calling it an “unbridled attack” in rare public criticism of the government.
Days after entering office as part of Israel’s most right-wing government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced last week moves to allow politicians to override the Supreme Court’s decisions and change the way judges are appointed.
“The Justice Minister’s new plan is not one to fix the legal system, but to crush it,” Supreme Court president Esther Hayut said on Thursday at a legal conference, in remarks relayed by the court administration.
“This is an unbridled attack on the legal system, as if it were an enemy that should be swarmed on and overwhelmed.”
Judges in Israel are not permitted to publicly comment on political issues. Earlier, Israeli lawyers demonstrated in Tel Aviv against Mr Levin’s plans.
Responding to Justice Hayut’s remarks, Mr Levin accused her of promoting a “political agenda” and striving to “incite riots”.
“The reform I presented will make Israel a functioning Western democracy again. It will ensure a varied legal system that reflects the entire nation,” he said in televised remarks. “I am committed to a dialogue with all parts of the country to reach the best and most balanced results.”
Read the article in The Australian (AFP).