Supreme Court President Blames Public Discourse for Violence Against Judges

Supreme Court President Justice Yitzhak Amit sharply criticized what he termed incitement against judges and all legal system employees on Wednesday. Amit stated that violence against lawyers and judges does not arise in a vacuum, and that verbal violence precedes physical violence.

He asserted that the roots of violence against the judiciary can be found in public figures' statements and social media, which he described as demeaning and violent discourse. Amit explained that when judges or lawyers are subjected to personal attacks, falsely accused of ulterior motives, or when the legal system is portrayed as acting against the public interest, it negatively impacts public perception.

Amit emphasized that when disagreements over judicial rulings or legal positions escalate beyond legitimate criticism into personal vilification and a denial of the legitimacy of the judge or lawyer, it affects the public's view of the legal system. He stressed the heightened importance of moderating violent discourse during the current election period, noting that elections inherently involve controversy, criticism, and ideological struggles.