Smotrich Slams Supreme Court Justices Over Judicial Appointments Fight

Finance Minister and Religious Zionism leader Bezalel Smotrich launched a sharp attack Sunday on the Supreme Court judges hearing petitions against the amendment to Basic Law: The Judiciary, which changes Israel’s judicial appointments system. Referring to the expanded panel of 11 justices, he said, “11 people disconnected, in black robes, think they can annul a Basic Law enacted by the Knesset.”

Smotrich warned the judges, “Do not dare,” and said, “We will not under any circumstances normalize this abomination.” He argued that the court has no authority to strike down Basic Laws and insisted that “the state belongs to the people, they are sovereign.” He told the justices that if they want influence over how judges are selected, they should “take off the robes, form a party, run for the Knesset, and if you receive the people’s trust you can be part of the game.”

He singled out Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, saying that if “Isaac Amit and his group” want to intervene in a Basic Law, “they are invited to form a party and be elected to the Knesset.” During the hearing, Amit said political considerations already hinder the promotion of good judges and warned the new law would make that problem “four times” worse. The justices also warned the change could create a situation in which “a political chip will be implanted in every judge.”

The confrontation comes amid a long-running standoff over judicial appointments. Justice Minister Yariv Levin has refused to convene the committee without broad agreement, while the High Court ordered him to do so and to put the appointment of the Supreme Court president to a vote by January 16, 2025. Levin previously called the court’s order “illegal and disgraceful.” Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara also sided with the petitioners, saying Levin must convene the committee. Over the past year, 162 judges were appointed by broad consensus, but disputes over Supreme Court appointments remain unresolved. Israel currently has 21 vacant judgeships, and 53 seats are expected to be open by the end of the year.