Internal Correspondence Reveals Tensions Within Israel Bar Association Leadership
Amid internal disputes within the Israel Bar Association, newly revealed correspondence collected by the State Comptroller exposes tensions between Chairman Amit Bechar and key officials. Attorney Mirit Shalev, the association's legal advisor for four years, expressed concerns in private messages about Bechar's tenure, describing it as fraught with dilemmas unseen in previous leaderships. She criticized costly initiatives approved under Bechar, including new advisory roles and social media management, which she said harmed the association's budget and efficiency. Shalev denied claims that she considered resigning, attributing her remarks to the broader political and legislative challenges facing the association.
A notable conflict arose when Bechar allegedly appointed committee heads without proper authority, prompting Shalev to demand ratification by the council. This led to accusations from Bechar's assistant, Vered Zeitman, now the association's CEO, who blamed Shalev for obstructing the process. Shalev rejected these allegations and clarified that the council eventually authorized the appointments.
The association's accountant and deputy financial director, Tomer Yazdi, also revealed friction with Bechar, recounting an unpleasant call and stating he would not continue without a "protection agreement" guaranteeing severance pay if dismissed. Yazdi described the leadership as "problematic and political," though he denied any illegal demands. He opposed a costly campaign against the government initiated by Bechar, which cost 300,000 shekels but was only partially funded by law firms, with the remainder covered by public funds.
The Bar Association responded by accusing the former CEO, who filed a complaint to the State Comptroller, of fabricating claims to avoid termination. They defended Bechar's leadership and vowed to continue resisting government efforts to weaken the judiciary. The State Comptroller's involvement and the internal disputes highlight ongoing struggles within the association amid Israel's broader political and judicial upheavals.
