Labor Court Chief Criticizes Judge's Conduct in Heated Exchange

Acting President of the National Labor Court, Ilan Itach, has issued a sharp critique of a Regional Labor Court judge's conduct during a July hearing. Judge Michal Ne'eman-Dibner of the Tel Aviv Regional Labor Court engaged in a highly contentious exchange with attorney Sigal Pa'il, a veteran labor law specialist, during the cross-examination of plaintiff Lior Human in his lawsuit against Palo Alto Networks. Itach stated that while the court has the authority to manage proceedings, the judge should have exercised more restraint and moderated her language. The dispute arose from Pa'il's repeated interruptions during Human's cross-examination, which Ne'eman-Dibner perceived as defiance and an attempt to escalate the situation. The judge accused Pa'il of "fueling the event" and engaging in "dramatization," while Pa'il countered that the judge was exhibiting "complete exaggeration" and speaking to her disrespectfully.

During the heated exchange, which led Human to request Ne'eman-Dibner's recusal (a request she denied, and Itach subsequently rejected on appeal), the judge and attorney repeatedly raised their voices. Ne'eman-Dibner asked the court stenographer and Human to leave the room at one point. Pa'il insisted she was not apologizing falsely and that she was not the judge's "friend," while Ne'eman-Dibner stated that Pa'il's apologies were insincere and that she continued to interrupt after offering them. Pa'il, representing Human alongside attorney Ran'an Kriv, expressed shock at the judge's behavior, noting her 31 years of experience and stating she had never encountered such treatment.

Itach acknowledged that while tension between a party's representative and the court is undesirable, it does not inherently create a reasonable apprehension of bias. He concluded that Ne'eman-Dibner's remarks did not demonstrate prejudice against Human, nor did her prior questions or statements during the cross-examination. The judge's role, Itach explained, was to manage the proceedings and ensure the plaintiff could speak without constant interruptions, while also maintaining the court's pace. Palo Alto Networks was represented by attorneys Inbal Palmor-Dori and Sagi Asman.