The swearing-in ceremony of 18 senior judges and registrars took place today (Thursday) at the President’s House in Jerusalem. The new judges have declared allegiance to President Reuven Rivlin.
The president of the Supreme Court, Judge Esther Hayut, said during the ceremony that “Every system deserves to check itself and always strive to correct the mistake. But if a guest were asked for a moment in our country who and what authority is in need of particularly urgent correction and treatment, I am not at all sure he would point to the judiciary. On the contrary, in the political chaos and instability that accompanies We have been living for a long time, I allow myself to say that despite the repeated attempts to shake the earth under our feet, the judiciary is an island of stability and space for a proper, stately and respectful discourse.And to anyone who insists on making political fortune on our backs, I would suggest looking inside “.
Hayut also added that “the court system should be left out of the political game, because attempts to drag it and its judges into the political field are dangerous. These attempts undermine the independence and independence of the judiciary, principles that are the lifeblood of every judge.” .
Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn, who is in his last day in office after resigning due to joining Ron Huldai’s party, also spoke at the ceremony, saying that “There were attempts to harm the work of the Judicial Selection Committee, to bring politicization and irrelevant considerations into this space – I did not allow this. Judges, you have been chosen in a clean way, in your own right, so that you can serve without prejudice, without dependence, without fear and without attempting to please anyone. “
“We also encountered a serious attempt to politicize the appointment of Supreme Court justices, with the aim of making the judges dependent on the whims of politicians. We stopped that too,” he added. “Whoever seeks to intimidate the law and justice, seeks to intimidate the citizens of Israel and their basic rights. As Minister of Justice, I acted in sanity. I maintained the independence of the rule of law, that’s all. But in today’s Israel, maintaining sanity has become a radical position. “It would be difficult for an independent court to digest it for politicians who are guided by personal interests.”
President Rivlin said during the ceremony that “A democratic society that desires life exists and progresses thanks to the controversies and tensions that drive it. “Any respectful criticism, do not be afraid of it, but bring it into the home, examine it and talk to it.” The president also called on the new judges to increase transparency in the courtrooms.
Three members of the committee, the Minister of Transport Miri Regev and MKs Osnat Mark and Zvika Hauser – boycotted the discussion that took place on the issue in protest of the election of Assi.