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Esther Hayut

Left to right: Ex-Supreme Court president Aharon Barak in Herzliya, July 1, 2026. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90); Ex-Supreme Court president Dorit Beinisch in Tel Aviv, February 29, 2024. (Flash90); Ex-Supreme Court president Asher Grunis in Jerusalem, February 13, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90); Ex-Supreme Court president Esther Hayut, November 3, 2025. (Moshe Shai/FLASH90); Ex-acting Supreme Court president Uzi Vogelman in Jerusalem, February 13, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
July 6, 2026, 8:54 pm
All living former Supreme Court presidents pan government for not respecting court ruling
Aharon Barak, Dorit Beinisch, Asher Grunis, Esther Hayut and Uzi Vogelman warn move will ‘lead to anarchy’ and ‘make the existence of a functioning society impossible’
By Jeremy Sharon and ToI Staff
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut. in Jerusalem, November 3, 2025. (Moshe Shai/FLASH90)
June 5, 2026, 5:36 pm
Ex-chief justice warns Israel sliding to ‘anarchy’ after Haredi riot at judge’s home
Esther Hayut says attacks on justice system constitute violation of democratic principles and rule of law, calls for return to ‘sane behavior’ as ‘our lives depend on it’
By ToI Staff
Former Supreme Court president Esther Hayut attends a swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed judges at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, on June 23, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
December 6, 2025, 5:26 pm
Former Supreme Court chief justice: Elected officials are trampling on rule of law
Calls to disobey High Court rulings mark a ‘dangerous decline,’ warns Esther Hayut at same conference where top judge and ex-chiefs accused justice minister of dismantling democracy
By ToI Staff
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara attends the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Isaac Amit as president of the Supreme Court, at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, February 13, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 23, 2025, 12:44 pm
Government seeking to operate ‘above the law,’ AG charges ahead of no-confidence vote
Baharav-Miara says motion aims to promote loyalty to politicians; retired Supreme Court justices warn her dismissal ‘would seriously endanger Israel’s status as a nation of laws’
By Jeremy Sharon and ToI Staff
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Esther Hayut speaks at Haifa University, where she was awarded an honorary doctorate, on December 23, 2024. (Haifa University Youtube screenshot)
December 23, 2024, 8:55 pm
Former chief justice decries ‘disastrous’ government plans that ‘threaten’ democracy
Critiquing judicial overhaul, Esther Hayut slams those who are ‘cynically exploiting democratic tools’ in their efforts to destroy Israel’s system of checks and balances
By ToI Staff
Relatives of some of those killed and taken hostage on October 7 at a hearing at the High Court of Justice for a petition calling for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, Jerusalem, December 11, 2024 (Courtesy October Commission)
December 11, 2024, 4:10 pm
High Court hears petition for Oct. 7 state inquiry: ‘Most terrible failure ever here’
Bereaved father: ‘How can the government not want to know how children went dancing and did not return?’; brother of fallen soldier to court: ‘Don’t let them escape responsibility’
By ToI Staff and Sam Sokol
Illustrative: Then-Supreme Court Chief of Justice Ester Hayut and Supreme court justices at a court hearing in the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, October 6, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 8, 2024, 2:46 pm
Will the High Court rulings against the judicial overhaul become a permanent revolution?
Landmark decisions last week placed constraints on the Knesset’s authority over Israel’s constitutional identity, but it is not legal arguments alone that powered the shift
By Jeremy Sharon
A cartoon in the Shvi'i magazine depicting Supreme Court of Justice President Esther Haut standing with a flag with the justice symbol impaled in an IDF soldier, on January 4, 2024. (Shvi'i: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
January 4, 2024, 6:20 pm
Cartoon of ex-chief justice Hayut stabbing IDF soldier in the back sparks outrage
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid condemns ‘sickening and dangerous incitement;’ Bar Association head calls on attorney general to investigate ‘fascist’ political cartoon
By Sam Sokol
Coalition lawmakers crowd around Justice Minister Yariv Levin to take a celebratory selfie in the Knesset plenum, as they pass the first of the coalition's judicial overhaul laws, the so-called "reasonableness law", on July 24, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 2, 2024, 1:25 am
Levin declares High Court ‘won’t stay our hand’ after justices annul overhaul law
Justice minister sets up potential standoff between government branches as coalition supporters fume; Gantz says decision must be respected
By ToI Staff and Jeremy Sharon
Then Supreme Court President Justice Esther Hayut attends the funeral of former Israeli parliament speaker Shevach Weiss at Mount Herzl Cemetery in Jerusalem, February 5, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 2, 2024, 12:41 am
High Court ruling rebuffs gov’t claim that the will of the majority is all-powerful
The legacy of the reasonableness law ruling will be the huge 13-2 majority which asserted that the Knesset coalition has limits on its authority, cannot undermine Israeli democracy
By Jeremy Sharon
Supreme Court President Esther Hayut and all 14 other judges hear petitions against the reasonableness limitation law, September 12, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
January 1, 2024, 10:57 pm
In historic ruling, High Court strikes down key judicial overhaul legislation
In 8 vs 7 decision, justices rule that reasonableness law undermines Israel’s democratic character; 13 justices assert court’s right in principle to strike down Basic Laws
By Jeremy Sharon
The High Court of Justice holds a hearing on petitions against the government's prime minister recusal law at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, September 28, 2023 (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
January 1, 2024, 11:47 am
Shas set to push law allowing High Court to delay reasonableness ruling
Arguing against the deepening of national rifts, move would allow bench to postpone decision by extending time retired justices can vote on law, which is said set to be struck down
By ToI Staff
Supreme Court President Esther Hayut and all 14 other judges hear petitions against the 'reasonableness law' at the court in Jerusalem on September 12, 2023. (DEBBIE HILL / POOL / AFP)
December 28, 2023, 12:35 am
Bombshell leaked draft ruling shows High Court set to nix key judicial overhaul law
Historic 15-justice panel reportedly split 8-7 in favor of nullifying reasonableness law; judiciary slams leak, says ruling still being written; coalition MKs pan brewing decision
By Jeremy Sharon and Michael Bachner
Supreme Court President Esther Hayut at a hearing on petitions demanding the annulment of the appointment of Shas leader Aryeh Deri as a government minister due to his recent conviction on tax offenses, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, on January 5, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 16, 2023, 1:20 pm
Supreme Court president Hayut retires, hoping for ‘better days’
Outgoing chief justice says Israel facing one of its most difficult times ever, calls for ‘togetherness’; Herzog says she proved herself ‘a woman of principles and integrity’
By Jeremy Sharon
Then-Chief Justice Esther Hayut attends a High Court hearing hearing on the illegal West Bank outpost of Homesh, January 2, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 15, 2023, 10:09 pm
Supreme Court president ends her term on Monday; still involved in ongoing cases
Esther Hayut’s rulings have included critical decisions defying the government and opinions that have bolstered court’s stance that it can review constitutional arrangements
By Jeremy Sharon
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