Lapid: Attempts to disrupt High Court hearing on Shin Bet chief a ‘product of government’s ongoing incitement’

Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Protests outside a discussion of petitions over whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can appoint the head of the Shin Bet, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, July 1, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/FLASH90)
Protests outside a discussion of petitions over whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can appoint the head of the Shin Bet, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, July 1, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/FLASH90)

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid condemns efforts to disrupt today’s High Court hearing on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability to nominate the next Shin Bet chief, blaming them on the government’s harsh rhetoric against the judiciary.

“The shameful attempt to blow up today’s court hearing is a product of the government’s ongoing incitement against the High Court of Justice and a direct threat to democracy,” says Lapid. “In the next government, we will pass a constitution that will prevent such phenomena and end the internal conflict in Israeli society.”

Several members of the audience, including bereaved parents whose children were killed in terror attacks, refused to leave and were forcibly removed from the courtroom.

After the hearing reconvened, Supreme Court President Isaac Amit called the disruptions “an attempt to thwart a judicial process.”

“I don’t know of another Western country where this happens. This is a real injury to the heart of democracy,” he added.

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