Levin sets Nov. 28 Judicial Selection Committee meeting to appoint new Supreme Court president

Justice Minister Yariv Levin says he’ll convene the Judicial Selection Committee on November 28 at 3 p.m. at his office in Jerusalem.

A statement from Levin’s office says the move comes in light of “the expropriation of the justice minister’s authority” after a September High Court ruling that said he must call a committee meeting to appoint a Supreme Court president, a position that has been filled in an interim manner for over a year.

In an act of defiance, Levin nominated all 12 sitting justices for the role on September 22, starting a 45-day evaluation period, only after which can a vote be called.

The court ruled that Levin must convene the Judicial Selection Committee to make the appointment “shortly after” the end of the 45-day period.

Levin’s statement says he wanted to call the meeting for next Tuesday, but that it has been delayed at the request of the committee’s secretariat.

Former Supreme Court justice Uzi Vogelman served as acting president in the year since former president Esther Hayut retired in October 2023, but himself retired at the end of this October and was succeeded by Justice Isaac Amit as acting president. Amit, whom Levin opposes, is likely to be appointed permanent president when a vote is called.

Jeremy Sharon contributed to this report.