High Court Postpones Hearing in Response to Justice Minister’s Request
Following a request made by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the High Court has decided to postpone a hearing that was originally scheduled for this Thursday. The new hearing date has been set for September 19. This postponement was made to allow the Minister of Justice to formulate his position and submit it to the High Court.
In other news, a protester recently attacked Minister Wasserlauf, shouting, “Get out of here, go to Germany.” The incident took place during a public event, and it has raised concerns about the safety of government officials.
Is the ombudsman’s job in danger? According to sources, the government is currently discussing its relationship with the ombudsman. Recent attacks on the ombudsman from within the coalition have led to speculation about her future. However, during a speech at a conference in Jerusalem, Benny Gantz, the chairman of the state camp, expressed his support for the ombudsman and emphasized the importance of maintaining the rule of law.
The ombudsman’s role is to safeguard the legal system, ensuring its integrity and fairness. Recent attacks on her have been seen as attempts to intimidate her and hinder her ability to perform her duties. Gantz’s support for the ombudsman sends a strong message that her work is crucial and should be protected.
In related news, Gali Beharev Miara, the legal advisor to the government, submitted a response to the High Court regarding petitions against the Justice Minister’s decision not to convene the committee for the selection of judges. The government has also chosen not to appoint Sara as the ninth member of this committee, which would complete its establishment.
According to the legal advisor, when there is a factual-objective need for the appointment of judges, the Minister of Justice has an obligation to convene the committee for the selection of judges. This should be done promptly, as required by the Interpretation Law.
Data provided by the director of the courts reveals that there are currently 21 vacant positions for judges and registrars. By the end of 2023, this number is projected to rise to 53, accounting for approximately 6% of the total judicial positions. In 2024, there could be as many as 115 vacant positions, constituting about 12% of the total judicial positions.
The ombudsman further highlighted the heavy burden placed on Israeli judges and the unusual workload they face compared to their international counterparts. Given these circumstances, the legal advisor believes that the Minister of Justice should have already convened the committee for the selection of judges and that the government should choose its representative on this committee.
The ombudsman also argued that the non-appointment of Sarah by the government should not prevent the committee from convening. The committee can still function with a “truncated” composition, as long as the number of its members does not fall below seven.
However, there are differing opinions on this matter. Some argue that the committee should have a full composition before it can commence its work, and only then can it operate with a minimum of seven members.
As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how the High Court will rule on this issue and whether the ombudsman’s role will be safeguarded in the face of adversity from within the coalition.