A commentary about a High Court hearing on the Judicial Selection Committee argues that Israel’s judicial system is trying to preserve total power through a self-perpetuating “friend brings friend” model. The piece centers on Supreme Court Justice Isaac Amit, whose remarks in the hearing are portrayed as exposing an effort by the court to entrench its influence ahead of the next Knesset election.
The hearing took place yesterday, when the High Court of Justice discussed the committee that appoints judges. The article says Amit’s line, “We know best,” summed up the system’s mindset, and claims he is not proof the current process works but proof that it is broken because he himself was chosen by the same system he defends.
According to the commentary, the same group has for years chosen people from the same worldview and circles, and not only judges but also the head of the Shin Bet, the head of the Mossad, the Civil Service Commissioner, and the State Comptroller. It says the security service was left without a permanent chief for months during wartime because the system insists only it knows best.
The article says the judiciary is not simply disconnected but consciously seeking more power and control, especially because the public chose a right-wing government. It quotes Amit as saying, “We will remove politicians and bring in lawyers,” and argues that this means replacing elected representatives with more legal professionals. The piece frames the current clash with Justice Minister Yariv Levin and the government as a major struggle ahead of the next Knesset, when the attorney general, the state prosecutor, and at least eight Supreme Court justices are expected to be chosen.
