Israeli Judge Michal Agmon-Gonen Faces Calls for Disqualification Amid Controversy

Judge Michal Agmon-Gonen continues to face criticism over her conduct within a WhatsApp forum of hundreds of female lawyers. According to a report by Avishay Greenzaig on i24NEWS, about two weeks ago, Agmon-Gonen publicly recommended a lawyer who regularly appears before her, sparking concerns about impartiality. She also used the same WhatsApp group to assign tasks to forum members, including a request related to removing street signage of the Academic Center for Law and Business, which provoked strong reactions from members.

The WhatsApp group, known as the Women’s Lobby and comprising 516 female lawyers, saw comments ranging from calls for a boycott to criticism of the academic center and its founder, Professor Moshe Eliyah. Agmon-Gonen has declined to comment on the matter so far. Meanwhile, the Israeli prosecution is reportedly seeking to disqualify her from hearing cases involving the Population and Immigration Authority due to a series of questionable rulings she has issued in that domain.

The prosecution has involved the Judicial Administration to address the issue, and the case is currently under review by the Public Complaints Commissioner. Decisions are expected only after the commissioner’s ruling. It was also noted that the Population and Immigration Authority had considered requesting her disqualification years ago. The President of the Tel Aviv District Court has recently ended her exclusive handling of immigration and infiltration cases, assigning Judge Oded Maor to share these duties, a move made prior to the latest developments.

This controversy follows Agmon-Gonen’s public endorsement of lawyer Tomer Warshe in the same forum, further fueling concerns about her impartiality and professional conduct.