As courts put on emergency footing, speculation Netanyahu trial could be put off

Justice Minister Amir Ohana declares a 24-hour “state of emergency” in Israel’s court system, “as part of the national effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”

The decision means that courts can only sit for urgent hearings on arrest and remand orders, administrative detention orders, offenses under legislation “relating to the special emergency” and certain interim relief in civil matters.

A statement from Ohana’s office says the decision was made in accordance with Health Ministry recommendations and that “there is a real fear of serious harm to public health” if the court system continues as normal.

While the emergency measures will initially only be in place for 24 hours, the statement said that the justice minister will assess the situation tomorrow to decide “on how to move forward.”

If the measures are extended beyond Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, due to begin that day, will be delayed.

— Raoul Wootliff