Chief justice says judiciary will ‘stand strong’ in face of next coalition’s reform plans

1 December 2022, 8:35 pm

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Chief Justice Esther Hayut arrives for a court hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, about the evacuation of the West Bank outpost of Homesh, June 2, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

In her first apparent reaction to the likely next government’s radical planned judicial reforms, Chief Justice Esther Hayut says the justice system will “continue to stand strong even in light of the ‘lightning and thunder’ being seen and heard at this time.”

“They are directed against us and are likely signaling the arrival of the storm,” Hayut tells court managers at an event. “But when the law, and the law alone, directs us — we will weather that too.”

The incoming coalition has vowed to pass a so-called override clause, enabling the Knesset to strike down High Court rulings with a minimal 61-strong majority, in addition to increasing politicians’ powers in appointing judges and many other controversial plans.