Nearly a week after the political frenzy over Supreme Court Justice Uzi Fogelman's decision to delay the demolitions of seven Arab terrorists' homes first broke out, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) finally addressed the issue.
In a Knesset debate Wednesday, Shaked asserted that "the court and its judges are not enemies, but no body is immune from criticism."
The discussion was initiated by Meretz chairwoman Zehava Galon, who attacked the government's furious response to the ruling, which delayed the demolition of the homes of the terrorists who murdered seven Jews.
"The 'lynch culture' has taken over right-wing representatives of the Knesset," she blasted. "We're talking about a reckless and inciting attack, which is part of a campaign to crush the Supreme Court. Ministers are fanning the hysterical and populist atmosphere through the [Arab] terror, while cynically exploiting the situation to undermine the position of the Supreme Court and the rule of law."
Jewish Home MK Moti Yogev was particularly vocal in his criticism of the Supreme Court, arguing that Fogelman "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.”
Yogev was promptly accused of “incitement” and “encouraging bloodletting” against the Supreme Court, with Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid even demanding he be prosecuted for his statements.
Responding to Galon Wednesday, Shaked stressed that "no government or MK is immune from criticism."
"We must protect the limit of worthy dialogue, and we must especially consider our words carefully and take care to have constructive dialogue, that is both fruitful and respectful."
"And to my colleague Zehava Galon: from my knowledge of the Supreme Court and its Justices - no statement will hurt their judicial independence."