Coalition lawmakers back protesters behind High Court ruckus

Justice Minister Yariv Levin and other members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet appear to back protesters who loudly disrupted a High Court hearing on the termination of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, forcing a lengthy delay in the proceedings.

“The cries heard today in the Supreme Court hall echo the cries of millions, whose rights are being trampled on and whose democratic choice they made at the ballot box is being taken from them by a handful of arrogant and detached judges,” states Levin.

“For decades, this has been done quietly, with the appearance of respectability, and when the voices of criticism have been immediately silenced,” he continues. “Over the past two years, since I laid the legal reform on the table, the truth has come to light. The people, who are asking for true freedom on the eve of Passover, can no longer be silenced.”

Tuesday morning’s hearing was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, including Likud MK Tally Gotliv, who argued that she could not be removed because she has parliamentary immunity. She was ejected from the courtroom after she immediately interrupted the proceedings upon their resumption following an hour-long recess called due to the protests.

Culture Minister Miki Zohar also blamed the judges for the disruptions, stating that while “the scenes from the Supreme Court this morning are difficult, they are the result of judicial activism that has been increasing for many years.”

“It is clear that a large part of our people is no longer willing to accept conduct that is contrary to all democratic values,” he says.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch, meanwhile, tweets that “When the High Court takes upon itself powers of the Knesset and the government, powers that are not its own, it is natural that many citizens will feel that this is the place where they are supposed to cry out.”

Instead of dismissing the petitions against Bar’s firing, the justices are “continuing the discussion on a matter where the law is clear to everyone,” he adds. “The head of the Shin Bet must end his duties on April 10.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who had pushed for Bar’s firing, argues that it is “regrettable that the head of the Shin Bet is clinging to the horns of the altar, instead of taking the hint and going home.”

“He tries time and time again to stay in power in his position. It is not democratic, it is not professional – and it will not succeed,” he declares in a video message.

Across the aisle, Yair Golan, the chairman of the opposition The Democrats party, tweets that Netanyahu’s “poison machine entered the Supreme Court with the aim of terrorizing the judges — this is how the mafia operates.”