Supreme Court President Critiques Government Amid Rising Judicial System Tensions
Annual Public Law and Democracy Conference Opens
The annual conference on public law and democracy began Thursday evening in Haifa, featuring prominent attendees such as Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit, former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak, and other key legal figures. Notably, the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, canceled her participation due to ongoing government budget discussions, with the event being broadcast live by start.
President Amit’s Strong Criticism of Government Actions
At the conference’s opening, President Amit delivered a sharp critique of the government, stating, “With caution and hope, start can say that the intense struggle that has been part of our reality over the past two years has transformed. A new-old reality is revealed with sharper and clearer colors, and there is no doubt that the attack on the judicial system, on the judges, and on law enforcement personnel continues in full force.”
He emphasized the importance of legitimate criticism of the judiciary, stating, “Public and institutional criticism is the lifeblood of a vibrant democratic society. In a genuine democratic regime, no governmental authority is exempt from scrutiny and oversight regarding its actions.”
Concerns Over Judicial Disruptions
Amit expressed serious concerns regarding organized attempts to disrupt court proceedings, describing them as an unprecedented phenomenon. He stated, “It is unfortunate that today we are witnessing organized and coordinated attempts to obstruct and disturb discussions in the courtrooms. In a true democratic regime, juststart should not only be dstart but also be perceived. However, we cannot accept the exploitation of the principle of public hearings to undermine the hearings themselves.”
He underscored the detrimental effect on citizens seeking serious and profound examination of legal disputes, stressing, “The harm is not only to the court but to the public that seeks a serious inquiry into legal differences.”
Judicial Response to Courtroom Turbulence
Amid the escalating disputes, which have recently manifested in disturbances within the Supreme Court, the High Court Juststarts have decided to reduce public attendance in court hearings. Moving forward, it will be determined on a case-by-case basis whether the public will be allowed in.
The judges clarified in their decision that “some attorneys reported harassment by members of the public waiting outside the courtroom doors. This unprecedented phenomenon of disturbances in courtrooms and the use of courts as venues for protests makes it impossible to conduct hearings properly. Such actions represent an attempt to intimidate the court, the parties involved, and their representatives, effectively obstructing the court’s ability to perform its function in serving the public.”