Former Supreme Court President invokes Menachem Begin and warns: 'Mortal blow'

Former Supreme Court President Esther Hayut attacked the change in the composition of the Judicial Selection Committee, warning of a mortal blow to democracy. In her remarks, made at a book launch event, she invoked Menachem Begin and called for preserving judicial independence.

Former Supreme Court President Esther Hayut delivered a sharp critique of the change in the composition of the Judicial Selection Committee, warning of a mortal blow to the independence of the judiciary. The remarks were made at the launch of Itamar Levin's book "Day by Day: The Law," which examines the first decade through the lens of Supreme Court rulings. Hayut spoke under the title "Judicial Independence: Then and Now," emphasizing that the system for appointing judges established in 1953 was designed to ensure independence. She warned that the amendment colors the appointment process with political hues and undermines judicial independence. Hayut noted that certain parties portray the judiciary as a "judicial dictatorship that must be crushed," and called for disobeying court rulings. She stressed that harming the independence of the judiciary is a mortal blow to democracy. The article noted that the Change Camp, which is attempting to form a government, announced its intention to cancel the amendment.