Nova Victim's Father Slams Israeli Supreme Court Over Terrorist Visits

Yossi Cohen, father of Amit Cohen, who was murdered at the Nova music festival on October 7th, has sharply criticized the Israeli Supreme Court's decision to overturn a directive by the Defense Minister that would have halted Red Cross visits to Hamas terrorists held in Israeli prisons. Cohen expressed outrage at the ruling, stating that the judges "stabbed us in the back" and are embracing murderers.

Cohen accused the judges of showing disrespect to bereaved families, claiming they are "throwing us out of the halls" because they are uncomfortable meeting families who hold different views. He alleged that judges encourage terrorists to file petitions, citing an instance where a judge allegedly told terrorists, "Come, file petitions, we are here for you."

He further contrasted the court's reaction to a broken potted plant in a judge's home with its apparent indifference to the profound suffering of families who have lost everything. Cohen also criticized the court system's administration, referring to it as a "private army" that mistreats bereaved families while living at the public's expense. He expressed a belief that the public will eventually reject these judges.

In October 2023, Defense Minister Israel Katz issued an order banning Red Cross visits to Hamas prisoners, citing security concerns and intelligence from the Shin Bet indicating that Red Cross personnel were passing information to terrorists. However, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned this ban in early June, ruling that the state had not provided a sufficient legal basis for the decision. Attempts by the government to block the ruling failed, partly due to the "Red Cross Law" proposed by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir not passing the Knesset because of Haredi party opposition. Red Cross representatives are now expected to arrive in Israel, and visits to prisoners are scheduled to resume on Wednesday.