The Lod District Court convened on Tuesday to hear the police's appeal against a decision to lift restrictions on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s adviser, Yonatan Urich, who is under investigation in the Qatar-gate case.
During the hearing, Likud MK Tally Gotliv disrupted proceedings and refused to leave the courtroom after being warned by Judge Amit Michles. Despite claiming parliamentary immunity, she was eventually removed by court marshals. Outside the courtroom, she verbally attacked a court guard, calling him a “Judenrat” in reference to the Nazi-backed governments installed in various ghettos. The term was made more offensive by the fact that the guard is a grandson of a Holocaust survivor, as well as a reservist with more than 400 days as a deputy company commander.
Israel's judicial authority issued a statement condemning Gotliv’s behavior and rhetoric, affirming its support for court personnel and their role in maintaining order and security.
Other political figures from both the coalition and the opposition denounced the incident as well. Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White, denounced Gotliv’s comparison as offensive and extreme. “This is not what we need in our public discourse,” he said, urging her to apologize.
Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs, called Gotliv’s remarks “serious” and inappropriate, warning against Holocaust distortion.
Minister Yitzchak Wasserlauf apologized to the marshals. "I ask you for forgiveness from the depths of my heart, for the shameful, humiliating, and terrible words of Member of Knesset Tally Gotliv."
Yariv Levin, Justice Minister and fellow Likud member, firmly denounced Gotliv: “This is not our way. Her behavior is disgraceful and an embarrassment.” Levin highlighted that court marshals are often ex-combat soldiers and should not be the outlet for political frustrations.
Levin further criticized Gotliv’s broader conduct, citing her frequent provocations, disrespect towards party members, and damaging effect on the Likud party’s image—particularly ahead of the upcoming elections.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the party’s values and addressing Gotliv directly: “Stop embarrassing us. Apologize.”
In response, Gotliv escalated her criticism, describing court marshals as a "private militia" doing the judges' bidding. She questioned whether such security forces could act unlawfully against public officials, including MKs and ministers. She also continued to attack Levin for what she described as failure to defend parliamentary immunity.