Israel Bar Association Head Seeks Urgent Mechanism for Lawyers Facing Threats

Amit Bachar, the head of the Israel Bar Association, has formally requested that the Attorney General establish an expedited mechanism allowing lawyers to be immediately released from representation in cases where they face threats. The appeal, sent last Thursday, comes amid a reported rise in violence and threats directed at legal professionals.

In his letter, Bachar highlighted the escalating verbal and physical aggression against lawyers over the past year, referencing the murder of attorney Arbel Feldman as a particularly grave example. He stated that the Bar Association has developed an action plan to combat this violence and enhance the personal safety of its members.

The core issue Bachar addressed is the current process for lawyers seeking to withdraw from representing a client due to threats. He explained that lawyers in such situations are often forced to wait for court approval, a delay that can be dangerous. Bachar argued that in cases where "immediate release from representation could save a life," a faster process is essential to ensure the lawyer's safety while maintaining client representation.

Bachar stressed the importance of preventing misuse of such a mechanism. He proposed the creation of a professional committee to review requests for immediate release on a case-by-case basis. This controlled process would ensure that the expedited release is granted only in appropriate circumstances, safeguarding against abuse. Simultaneously, the Bar Association would appoint a substitute lawyer to ensure the client is not left without representation and that the legal proceedings continue uninterrupted.

Bachar concluded that such a system would provide a "swift, immediate, and balanced response to exceptional cases of threats against lawyers," thereby protecting their security while upholding client rights and the continuity of legal proceedings.