Justice Stein: The Knesset Cannot Label Everything a Basic Law

During a hearing on an amendment to the Basic Law that would bar Israel Bar Association members from taking part in the committee that selects judges, Supreme Court Justice Alex Stein said the Knesset cannot simply call every measure a Basic Law. “The Knesset cannot write on everything ‘Basic Law’. This is not Tommy Hilfiger that needs a label,” he said.

Justice Ofer Grosskopf also questioned the logic behind excluding the Bar Association over allegations of corruption. “Why does the claim of corruption in the Bar lead to removal from the committee? I have heard there is corruption among elected officials, even proven in court, so should we remove them too?” he asked.

The remarks came as the court discussed the legal challenge to the amendment affecting the composition of the judicial selection committee. The hearing centered on whether the law’s rationale, tied to alleged corruption in the Bar Association, justifies stripping its representatives of a role in choosing judges.