The incoming Minister of Defense and Minister of Justice Bnei Gantz today (Monday) held a first series of meetings at the Ministry of Justice in which he met with the Attorney General and with the Acting Director General of the Ministry, and held an opening conversation with the senior staff of the Ministry of Justice. In the conversation, Ganz referred to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said, “I will not agree that anyone should harm the justice system, and I certainly will not be able to agree that anyone who is involved in indictments and charged with crimes will deal with legal issues.”
Ganz attacked Netanyahu: “After the election, he will no longer be prime minister”
In his opening remarks, Ganz said, “I am happy to be here today, and moreover I feel the importance of being here. One of the main reasons I led the formation of the unity government was the ability to deal with the Corona crisis for all its health, economic and social implications, and do so while maintaining democracy. “The justice system in Israel, as perhaps one of the most important systems that determines the democratic resilience of the State of Israel. We wanted to keep the guards and that is why it was so important for me to have this office during the past months.”
He then referred to the resignation of former Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn and said that “I am sorry that Avi Nissenkorn was forced to resign. I think good work has been done here over the last period including addressing key issues such as proud community rights, reform of Kaminitz Law Enforcement procedures. “Policemen, appointments of judges that have not been discussed for a long time and all in all, good and important things have been done here.”
He went on to say that he “sees a clear and inseparable connection between our security resilience and our legal resilience in the absence of other words.
Only in a country that has a strong army and is ready to face any threat – can the citizens be protected from our enemies. Only in a country whose foundations of democracy are strong and independent can citizens be protected from power, the government and what is required of them. Without a strong legal system – the State of Israel is weak, Israeli citizens are vulnerable and democracy is shaky. “
Today I had my first conversation with senior officials from the Ministry of Justice.
Bottom line: I will not agree that no one will harm the justice system, and I will certainly not agree that anyone who is charged with a crime will deal with legal issues.
I will not let the metaphors of D-9 the courts have a place. Our job is to continue to maintain the legal system and the rule of law in Israel and so it will be. pic.twitter.com/CUSERytcwq
– Benny Gantz – Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) January 4, 2021
The Minister noted that “it is not always convenient and I tell you that I want to do everything related to the government that can be done legally, things that can not be done legally – I do not want to do them governmentally and leadership. Also as chief of staff, there was a military prosecutor’s office, In the end you do not want to do illegal things. The supremacy of the law for me is a very important thing. Even when I ultimately see the importance of openness, of self-critical observation, of paying attention to what the public, the state and the government need – it still needs to be done within the framework of the law and in its light.
That is what makes us a democracy, the very limitation of our power. “
Ganz then quoted Ze’ev Jabotinsky as saying that “it is a misconception that a government that relies on a majority means a democratic government. Democracy means freedom. Even a government supported by a majority can deny freedom. And where there is no guarantee of individual freedom – there is no democracy. “You who are here, you are the guarantors. I will not agree that anyone should harm the justice system, and I certainly can not agree that anyone involved in indictments and criminal charges should deal with legal issues, and he must keep himself out of these matters. Everyone is equal before the law. “I will allow the criminal defendant to touch the judicial system, I will not let the metaphors of D-9 have a place in the courts. Our job is to continue to maintain the legal system and the rule of law in Israel.”
Avichai Mandelblit (Photo: Reuters)“I go in with all my might within the time limits available to me,” Ganz said, adding: “We will make sure to work regularly in a proper agenda where I can handle the staffing of senior positions and above all promote the issue of appointing the commissioner and appointing the IPS commissioner.” “The law is in the State of Israel, and it is important that it is headed by people in as orderly and expeditiously as possible. In addition, I will advance the issue of appointing the State Attorney.”
Finally, he thanked those present “on behalf of all the citizens of Israel and on my behalf, for your activities throughout the last period”, adding: “It is not very easy to withstand attacks on the justice system. It requires organizational and personal resilience and I am very happy to have them, “As part of the authority and the law, be careful and back up as much as possible. I am sure we all want the best for the State of Israel, recognize its challenges and know how to install the right regulations legally and be able to eventually face any challenge.”
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit spoke afterwards, saying that “although in the circumstances there was no official inauguration ceremony, this is definitely an opportunity to congratulate you my son, for being with us here. You come to an office that is at the heart of government action in any field you can raise. On the contrary – in the fight against the Corona virus, in security, in the economy, in the promotion of human rights, in the protection of underprivileged populations, in maintaining good governance and moral purity. Office workers – excellent. Civil servants who faithfully serve the government, every government,
You already know the Deputy CEO, Sigal Yaakobi, who wins this job exceptionally well, with a lot of composure, you know the Vice President and the State Attorney, and I am sure you will get to know many more of our employees. Along with the many professional challenges we face “The great challenge we face is maintaining public trust and the public legitimacy of our work in the face of inappropriate attacks.”
In conclusion, he emphasized that “such and such attacks, from all sides, will not divert us from the path of justice and fairness, and I am convinced that together with you we will maintain the independence of the judiciary and its resilience. I wish you great success and fruitful cooperation for the state and its citizens.”