Following the i24NEWS report: The Ombudsman ruled that the complaints against Judge Michal Agmon Gonen are justified
The Ombudsman for Complaints Against Judges ruled that the complaints against Judge Michal Agmon Gonen are justified, following an i24NEWS exposé. The Ombudsman determined that her conduct in a digital forum exceeded the duties of restraint, and included recommending a lawyer and providing instructions to a legal-activist body. The decision warns of harm to public trust in the judiciary.
The Ombudsman for Complaints Against Judges ruled today (Thursday) that the complaints against Judge Michal Agmon Gonen are justified, following an i24NEWS exposé. The decision addresses her conduct in a digital forum in which she was a member, and determines that the accumulation of cases indicates disregard for the duties of restraint imposed on a judge. The Ombudsman referred to three cases: membership in the forum itself, providing a "stamp of approval" to an active lawyer, and giving operational instructions to a legal-activist body. It was determined that active conduct in a broad forum cannot be considered incidental. The decision warns that blurring boundaries could undermine the foundations of judicial objectivity and create a situation where the judge is perceived as a partner in extra-judicial initiatives identified with a particular agenda, in a way that could harm public trust in the judiciary. The decision comes after it was revealed by i24NEWS that the judge publicly recommended lawyer Tomer Varsha, who appears before her in cases.