From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Justice minister must appoint new Supreme Court president, AG says after Levin delays vote
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
The attorney general insists that Justice Minister Yariv Levin is obligated to appoint a new Supreme Court president today, and that if he wants to deliberate allegations of wrongdoing against Acting Supreme Court President Isaac Amit he must do so in the Judicial Selection Committee.
The State Attorney’s Office writing for Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara filed its response to Levin’s notice to the court on Wednesday that he was postponing the vote in the Judicial Selection Committee on electing a new Supreme Court president due to the allegations against Amit, who is likely to be elected permanent president if a vote is called.
In December, the Supreme Court sitting as the High Court of Justice ordered Levin to appoint a new court president by today, January 16, after he refused to do so for 15 months.
Baharav-Miara argues that Levin had time to clarify the allegations before today’s deadline, and pointed out he had not asked the court for a postponement but simply informed it of his decision to delay.
Regardless, she said that according to the law and procedure, Levin must bring the allegations to the Judicial Selection Committee which is the only authorized body to deal with objections to candidates, noting that Amit himself had said he is willing to explain himself to the committee.
The Judicial Selection Committee could, if it believes necessary, decide to hold further hearings to get to the bottom of the matter, the attorney general adds.
She adds that a request by Levin for disciplinary procedures to be initiated against Levin does also “not constitute justification for violating the court order and postpone the date of the committee hearing.”
Concludes the attorney general, “There is therefore no place or grounds for the court to accede to the ‘minister’s announcement,’ and the minister must obey the final ruling issued by the court” and appoint a new president today.
The High Court is expected to issue a decision on the matter later today.
The Times of Israel Community.