After the Break-In at Justice Solberg’s Home, Israel’s Judges Are on Alert

Following the disturbance at the home of Justice Noam Solberg, the Court Guard contacted all judges, refreshed emergency procedures, and made available a distress app that sends an alert and real-time location to the police and the court system.

First reported: The disturbance that took place at the home of Deputy President of the Supreme Court Noam Solberg continues to draw reactions in the justice system. Alongside a series of condemnation statements issued by the prime minister, the justice minister, judges, and the Courts Administration, it is now clear that the incident also led to practical steps intended to strengthen the personal security of judges.

The Court Guard contacted all judges in the various courts, from magistrate courts to the higher courts, and carried out a refresher on procedures regarding a dedicated distress-button app. Activating the app sends an alert to the police and the court system, along with the mobile phone’s location, in order to enable rapid arrival of assistance at the scene. A source in the Court Guard explained that this is, in effect, “something like the judges’ Red Alert.” According to the source, the app had existed previously, but many judges did not know how to operate it or did not have the required login details.

“The app actually already existed, but many judges did not know how to operate it, what the username or password was. After the Solberg incident, many felt under attack, so we contacted every judge, refreshed the procedures, and made sure each one knows how to use it,” the source said.

In the justice system, they note that every courtroom has had a distress button for many years, but the app is intended to provide a response to emergencies outside the courthouse. In this way, if necessary, judges can call for help even when they are at home, on the road, or anywhere else.