Former Supreme Court President Hayut Warns Over Judicial Independence
Former Supreme Court President Esther Hayut warned that altering the Judicial Selection Committee severely harms Israeli democracy, undermining the judiciary's independence.
Former Supreme Court President Esther Hayut warned against undermining the independence of the judiciary, describing recent legislative changes to the Judicial Selection Committee as a severe blow to Israeli democracy. Speaking at the launch of journalist Itamar Levin's new book "Day of Judgment," Hayut emphasized that judicial independence serves as the citizen's ultimate safeguard against government arbitrariness.
The Historical Framework of Judicial Independence
Hayut delivered an address titled "Judicial Independence: Past and Present," noting that the judicial appointment system established in 1953 was specifically designed to ensure the independence of the judiciary and prevent political interference. She recalled that former Prime Minister Menachem Begin actually sought to further reduce political involvement within the committee to strengthen judicial integrity. Hayut sharply criticized the fourth amendment to the Basic Law: The Judiciary, which alters the committee's composition and grants politicians a decisive majority, pending review by the High Court of Justice.
Warning Against Delegitimization
Addressing a broader campaign against the legal system, Hayut warned that certain political factions are systematically attempting to delegitimize the courts, portraying them as an undemocratic force and even calling for non-compliance with judicial rulings. Professor Aviad Hacohen also spoke at the event, outlining persistent threats to judicial independence over the decades, including political attacks, non-implementation of court rulings, and budgetary pressures. Hacohen stressed that an independent judiciary remains an essential prerequisite for the resilience of Israeli democracy.
