Justice Minister Yariv Levin on Tuesday morning accused High Court justices of 'threatening to suppress by force those who demand justice, like the last of the dictators who have lost public trust', according to his statement.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin on Tuesday morning at 10:15 Jerusalem published a statement accusing High Court justices of acting 'like the last of the dictators who have lost public trust.' The statement highlights a contrast Levin drew between former Supreme Court President Aharon Barak's assertion that the judiciary has 'neither sword nor purse' and the current court's warning that officials who defy rulings could lose personal immunity — a gap Levin called evidence of the court's decline.
The Zioneer first reported the statement at 10:15 Jerusalem, citing an initial report from ynet. Within minutes, two successive updates (both at 10:15 Jerusalem) added further details: Levin cited attorney Dvir Jabareen and expanded on the comparison to Barak, and the minister's full remarks were then published by multiple Israeli media outlets. The bulletin was updated three times in quick succession as details were confirmed.
The attack is the latest in a series of escalating confrontations between senior coalition figures and the judiciary. As The Zioneer reported on July 1, Levin had previously accused the Supreme Court of 'enabling' the attorney general's actions. On Sunday, June 21, Levin attacked Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, and Finance Minister Smotrich warned the court that 'the people are sovereign.' The ongoing standoff centers on the government's legislative agenda and the authority of the court's president.
The High Court and the attorney general have not yet issued a response to Levin's latest remarks. No official statement from the court has been published as of 10:32 Jerusalem.
4 developments
- DevelopingJustice Minister Levin attacks Supreme Court as 'enabling' attorney general's actions
- StrongLevin responds to High Court warning: judges must do soul-searching, respect the law
- StrongSmotrich, Karai, Levin condemn High Court warning as 'extortion', 'yoke', call for judicial soul-searching
- DevelopingLevin slams High Court President Amit in new escalation
Source and signal
- Internal intake