Justice Minister Levin Predicts Supreme Court Overhaul as Majority of Judges Retire

Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin revealed in a recent conversation with Likud activists that two-thirds of the Supreme Court justices will retire in the next term, which he believes will eliminate the need for judicial reform. Levin recounted a phone call from a current Supreme Court judge who warned him that certain nominees, including Dr. Aviad Bakshi and Dr. Rafi Biton, were not up to the court's standards and suggested waiting for the next justice minister to make changes easier. Levin responded that he is confident his side will prevail and that the upcoming wave of retirements will allow the appointment of new judges who will fundamentally change the court.

Levin also stated his intention to seek the Justice Ministry portfolio again if Likud remains in power after the upcoming elections. With six more justices expected to retire during the next government, the new justice minister could appoint up to ten judges, constituting two-thirds of the Supreme Court bench. Levin named Bakshi, head of the legal department at the Kohelet Forum, and Biton, a key architect of the judicial reform, as his preferred nominees.

Levin's efforts to appoint his candidates during the current term have failed, resulting in a Supreme Court operating with only 11 justices due to a deadlock in the judicial selection committee. The court has recently criticized government decisions, with Levin responding by accusing the court of acting "like the last dictators." The Supreme Court has instructed Levin to cooperate with Chief Justice Esther Hayut amid ongoing tensions.