MK Moti Yogev (Jewish Home) on Sunday evening slammed Michael Spitzer, Director of the Israel's Courts, over a letter he sent to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, asking the latter to sanction Yogev for his criticism of the High Court's decision to hold off on demolition of terrorists' homes. Spitzer's criticism, said Yogev, is “another example of judicial activism, which continues to harm the security of Israelis.”
Earlier, Spitzer sent a letter Sunday to Edelstein demanding that disciplinary action be taken against Yogev. What set Spitzer off was a Facebook message in which Yogev wrote that the High Court judges – particularly Uzi Fogelman, who handed down the decision - “has put himself on the side of the enemy. He is protecting the rights of murderers, and prevents the state from imposing a punishment that will prevent terror. He is thus endangering people's lives.”
In his letter, Spitzer said that Yogev “has gone too far, inciting against a judge. Such comments, especially at this time, could lead to violence against the judge. All we have to do is look around and we will find many examples of this.
“Based on this and other comments, it appears to us that MK Yogev is calling for violence against the courts, the judges, and the entire legal system,” said Spitzer. “We demand that action be taken.” Over the past week, Yogev was accused of “incitement” and “encouraging bloodletting” against the High Court.
Yogev said that “as usual, we do not hear any useful information or arguments from the direction of the director of the courts. It is time that the High Court understand that it is not they who decide for the people, but the democratically elected leaders who decide, especially when it comes to the security of Israelis.”
Reports Sunday night said that Fogelman was being provided with round-the-clock protection, due to fears that right-wing activists angry with his decision to halt the demolitions might take action against him.