Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich accused the High Court of 'extortion by threats' and likened its conduct to mob protection rackets, while Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi declared freedom from the court's 'yoke' and Justice Minister Yariv Levin called for judicial soul-searching, all in response to the court's warning on personal liability.
By 10:24 Jerusalem, three senior ministers — Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, and Justice Minister Yariv Levin — had issued coordinated condemnations of the High Court of Justice's warning that officials defying rulings could face personal legal liability. Smotrich's initial accusation of 'extortion by threats' at 09:37 was followed by Karhi's declaration of freedom from the court's 'yoke' at 09:46 and Levin's call for judicial soul-searching at 10:21, with Levin later sharpening his attack at 10:23 by comparing the court's approach to dictators.
The High Court warning was first reported by The Zioneer at 09:04 Jerusalem (i24NEWS), and confirmed at 10:01. Smotrich's response escalated rapidly over three statements at 09:37, each more graphic — likening the court to mob enforcers demanding protection money. Karhi's statement at 09:46 cited a Talmudic passage to announce liberation from the court's authority. Levin's remarks at 10:21 and 10:23 contrasted the court's current conduct with former President Aharon Barak's dictum that the judiciary has 'neither sword nor purse,' accusing the justices of threatening to suppress dissent.
As The Zioneer reported on Monday (Jul 6, 20:00), Minister Eli Cohen had already stated that 'everyone is subject to the law — including the court.' Levin himself had attacked the court on July 1 for 'enabling' the attorney general. The coordinated response highlights the deepening rift between the executive and judiciary amid the ongoing judicial overhaul.
What remains open: The court has not yet responded to the ministers' statements, and it is unclear whether the government will formally comply with the court's rulings or whether the personal liability warning will be enforced.
4 developments
- StrongLevin responds to High Court warning: judges must do soul-searching, respect the law
- StrongJustice Minister Levin accuses High Court justices of acting 'like dictators'
- DevelopingSmotrich warns High Court: the people are sovereign, do not destroy Israeli democracy
- StrongSmotrich: Millions approved for protection-racket victims, demands police crackdown
Source and signal
- Internal intake