Judge Critical of Qatar-Gate Case Promoted to District Court Amid Judicial Reform

The Israeli Judicial Selection Committee approved around 70 new judges for youth, traffic, and family courts on Sunday, with unanimous agreement among committee members. Additionally, the committee decided that all presidents of magistrate courts, including Judge Menachem Mizrahi, known for his repeated sharp criticism of the "Qatar-Gate" affair, will be promoted to district court judges upon completing their terms.

Judge Mizrahi notably removed restrictions imposed by the prosecution on suspects in the Qatar-Gate case, including Jonathan Urich, a close advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu, decisions that were repeatedly overturned by the district court. Mizrahi also lifted conditions on Netanyahu’s chief of staff, Tzachi Braverman, in the "night meeting" case, drawing harsh criticism from higher courts.

In the vote on promoting magistrate court presidents, representatives from the Israel Bar Association and Knesset member Karin Elharar of Yesh Atid abstained, while Supreme Court representatives and ministers Levin, Struck, and Kroizer voted in favor. Promotion to district court requires a simple majority of 5 out of 9 committee members, unlike Supreme Court appointments which require a special majority.

The committee had not convened for a year and a half due to Minister Levin’s refusal to recognize Supreme Court President Isaac Amit and his boycott of the judiciary. Despite a Supreme Court ruling mandating Levin to prioritize appointments to district courts in Beersheba and Haifa, where there is a severe shortage of judges, Levin instead convened the committee to select judges for traffic, family, and youth courts as part of a "comprehensive reform to significantly improve public service" in these areas.

This reform includes a 24% increase in judges for traffic courts to reduce backlog, a 15% increase for family courts, and a 26% increase in youth court positions.