Supreme Court justice announces unexpected resignation

Yoram Danziger says he’s stepping down for personal reasons; move comes after appointment of 4 new justices

Supreme Court Justice Yoram Danziger unexpectedly announced his resignation on Tuesday, saying he would step down for “personal reasons.”

“I have decided to end my tenure in a year for personal reasons that do not have to do with my judicial work,” Danzinger said.

Danziger will now step down in February 2018. He was originally set to serve until 2023 when he turns 70, the age at which Supreme Court justices must step down.

A statement from the court said Danziger, who has been on the court since 2007, informed Supreme Court President Miriam Naor and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked of his decision to step down.

Naor expressed her sorrow at the decision, the statement said.

Supreme Court Justices Yoram Danziger (C), Anat Baron (R) and Uri Shoham seen at the courtroom of the Supreme Court in Jerusalem before a court hearing on December 7, 2016. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

In 2011, Danziger was suspended from the court following corruption allegations. He returned to the court in 2012, after investigators found no wrongdoing and closed the case.

The court statement did not say when the Judicial Appointments Committee would convene to decide on a replacement for Danziger.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked seen with Supreme Court president Miriam Naor, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and members of the Israeli Judicial Selection Committee at a meeting of the Israeli Judicial Selection Committee at the Ministry of Justice in Jerusalem on February 22, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash 90)

Last month, the Judicial Appointments Committee announced its selection of David Mintz, Yael Willner, Yosef Elron and George Karra to the 15-member Supreme Court.

The four new appointments will replace outgoing Supreme Court justices Miriam Naor, Elyakim Rubinstein, Salim Joubran and Zvi Zilbertal.

The selections of Mintz, Willner and Elron were notable as the three are considered to be conservative and non-activist, whereas the Supreme Court is considered to have a liberal bent.

Danziger’s resignation presents Shaked with another opportunity to advance a justice with non-activist leanings to the Supreme Court, as she has frequently spoken out in favor of reining in the court or changing the makeup of the justices to incorporate more conservative views. The Haaretz daily noted Danziger was considered one of the more liberal judges on the court.

Israel’s highest court has 15 members, though only some of the judges are assigned to each case. The chief justice post is traditionally appointed automatically, based on seniority.