Retired president of the Supreme Court Aharon Barak warned Tuesday afternoon against the loss of democracy. Addressing a conference of the World Zionist Organization, Professor Barak said, "The main test of independence is in situations of national emergency. In case of terrorism, most of public opinion tilted in one direction. It is precisely in these situations that the responsibility of defending democracy lies with the judges, to reflect history and not hysteria."
Barak continued, "I do not think the court takes authority beyond what's permitted, but works within its legal outline. If the Knesset is convinced the High Court is excessive, it has the power to prevent it, which has not happened until now because we do not exceed our authority."