Supreme Court Pres. Esther Hayut
Supreme Court Pres. Esther HayutBar Association Spokesperson

Supreme Court President Justice Esther Hayut, in an unusual statement, strongly criticized Justice Minister Yariv Levin's proposed judicial reforms.

"This is an unbridled attack on the judicial system, as if it were an enemy that must be attacked and subdued. This is a plan to crush the judicial system. It is designed to deal a fatal blow to the independence and independence of the judiciary and turn it into a silent authority," Justice Hayut said.

"As I have stated more than once - judicial independence is the lifeblood of the court, and without them the judges of Israel will not be able to fulfill their role as loyal public servants" she added.

"This year the State of Israel will celebrate 75 years of independence as a Jewish and democratic state. This is an important milestone in the life of the country - but unfortunately, as long as the presented change plan is realized, the year 75 will be remembered as the year in which the country's democratic identity was dealt a mortal wound.

"Anyone who claims that the majority who elected their representatives to the Knesset, thereby gave them an "open check" to do as they please, uses the name of democracy in vain," she said.

"In fact, the plan seeks to take away from the judges the legal tools they use to protect individual rights and the rule of law. The plan speaks about an Override Clause which will deny the court the possibility to cancel laws that disproportionately harm constitutional human rights, including the right to life, property, freedom of movement and privacy.

"The expectation that the court will stand still even in those exceptional cases where the government violates its obligations towards the individual - is a dangerous expectation," she said.