The Judicial Selection Committee will convene today (Monday) to elect four new judges to the Supreme Court. As it turns out, the judges to be elected are Khaled KabovWho is expected to be the first Muslim to serve on the Supreme Court, Adv Yechiel Kosher From the private sector, Ruth RonenPreferred by President Esther Hayut, andDiscovered the wings of SteinitzThe wife of MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud).
About three months ago, the Minister of Justice announced Gideon Saar On his decision to open the list of candidates for the post, but now it seems that the identities of the top four candidates have already been determined. About two months ago, the convening of the committee was canceled at the last minute due to a lack of agreements, and now it seems that the conditions for the move have matured.
Saar, Supreme Court President Esther Hayut and Bar Association Chairman Avi Chimi and his committee representatives reached agreements after the list of candidates was reopened, and the Bar Association added an updated list of its own candidates, including Adv. Kasher from the Tadmor Law Firm. Kosher is also acceptable to the three Supreme Court justices who are members of the committee.
The appointment of the esteemed judge Ruth Ronen is not expected to pass quietly, and among right-wing circles there is sharp criticism of the appointment. Another interesting appointment is that of Gila Kanfei-Steinitz, also a veteran and esteemed judge – and this is precisely because it comes at a time when the Likud party, whose partner Yuval Steinitz is considered one of its senior members, is sharply attacking the Supreme Court.
Judge Ruth Ronen (Photo: Judicial Authority website)The apparent “deal” seems to have been created after a handshake and a split: alongside prominent system representatives such as Ronen and Kabov, there is an appointment from the private sector closer to right-wing views, of a former minister’s wife and incumbent MK on this side of the political map.
As stated, last November, Saar postponed the selection of new judges due to “disagreements with the selection of judges in accordance with the requirements of the law.” He explained the decision in words: “Despite many efforts made to formulate an agreement to elect judges in accordance with the law – this has not been successful so far. As Minister of Justice I am aware of my responsibility for a balanced choice that will shape the image of the highest court for years to come.”
Judge Gila Steinitz’s Wings (Photo: The Judiciary’s Website)The Judicial Selection Committee consists of nine members, including four politicians – the Minister of Justice who chairs the committee, Minister Ayelet Shaked and MK Efrat Reitan as the coalition’s representative and MK Simcha Rotman as the opposition’s representative, as well as three Supreme Court justices – Supreme Court President Esther Hayut, Justice Yitzhak Amit And Judge Uzi Vogelman.The Bar Association’s Bar Association is represented by attorneys Ilana Sker and Muhammad Na’amana.
The one who did not hide his disappointment from the emerging list is an MK Joy RotmanWho said yesterday in an interview with Lennon Magal and Ben Caspit on 103FM radio: “It seems like a bad deal is going to start. “The government and the Knesset are undermining our ability to defend our borders in order to fix this.”
Judge Khaled Kabov (Photo: Judicial Authority website)