New Supreme Court chief Amit stresses readiness for dialogue with government

Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, incoming Supreme Court Chief Justice Isaac Amit says judicial independence must be protected “at all costs” but adds that the judiciary is ready for “dialogue and cooperation” between the branches of government.

Last year, Levin began boycotting then-head of the Supreme Court and now-retired justice Uzi Vogelman due to the court’s insistence that a new president be appointed after the justice minister refused to do so for many months.

Levin has vowed to boycott Amit too, after the court insisted that he hold a vote for a new Supreme Court president.

“I call and request again that the justice minister hold the regular working meetings which have always been customary between the justice minister and the president of the Supreme Court, as is required so that the citizens and residents of the country can continue to receive a quality and effective service from the courts,” says Amit.

Referencing what he sees as his role of the judiciary and its head, Amit insists that “the core of judicial independence — which is the authority and duty to rule independently, without external influences, without fear, and without authority, other than the authority of the law — must be guarded at all costs.”

He notes that the dialogue between Israel’s branches of government “has known ups and downs,” but says all officials must remember that their job is to serve the public.

“Our duty to the public is to strengthen and improve responsible and respectful discourse between the authorities,” he says, adding: “On behalf of the judiciary, I say that we are ready for dialogue and for substantive cooperation, which puts the public and service to the citizen at the forefront of its concerns – and I hope that we will find a helping hand in this context.”