Former Senior Prosecutor Criticizes Israeli Government's Judicial Reforms in Heated Radio Interview

Deborah Chen, a former senior prosecutor, sharply criticized the Israeli government's recent decision regarding Yariv Levin during a radio interview on Galei Yisrael on Thursday. Chen described the government's move as highly problematic, accusing it of undermining the judicial system by attempting to change the rules and weaken the courts. She emphasized that a government that expects citizens to uphold the law must first respect the law and judicial rulings itself.

During the interview, host Fleischman challenged Chen on what citizens should do if the Supreme Court rules contrary to the law. Chen responded that it is unacceptable for individuals to disregard court rulings based on personal opinions. The discussion escalated as Fleischman questioned Chen about the court's authority to intervene in appointments or dismissals of heads of secret organizations, to which Chen argued that the government also cannot make arbitrary appointments without qualifications.

The exchange became tense when Fleischman pressed Chen on who determines the legality of court decisions, and Chen expressed regret for participating in the interview, stating she would not have agreed to it had she known the direction it would take. The interview reflects ongoing controversy over judicial reforms in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly considering backing down on the Yariv Levin issue following a Supreme Court ruling.