Three sensitive criminal investigations involving two sitting judges were recently closed, according to a report by Avi Ashkenazi on 24NES. The story has drawn attention inside the legal system because investigations of serving judges are extremely rare and require special authorization from the top of the justice hierarchy, including the attorney general and the state prosecutor.
One case involved a judge who was openly questioned under caution after a complaint was filed. After a thorough review by professional officials and the judge’s interrogation, the case was closed for lack of culpability.
The second matter was more serious and involved two separate criminal files against a senior district judge. The suspicions reportedly included, among other things, falsifying a court transcript, an offense that strikes at the core of judicial credibility and integrity. Because of the sensitivity of the allegations and the judge’s status, the investigation apparently proceeded covertly and under strict secrecy to avoid interference and protect the judiciary until enough evidence had been gathered.
After the prolonged secret inquiry, both files against the senior district judge were also closed. The closure reasons were not made public, but the decision came after what the report described as a full examination of all collected evidence. Israeli law requires personal, explicit approval from the attorney general before any investigative body can even open a probe, including a covert one, against a sitting judge, in order to balance equal treatment under the law with protection of judicial independence.
