Israeli Bar Association Refuses to Attend Knesset Security Committee Hearing Citing Enforcement Independence

The Israeli Bar Association has announced it will not send representatives to a Knesset National Security Committee hearing scheduled for Monday. The hearing, chaired by MK Tzvika Fogel, will address allegations of selective enforcement, lenient disciplinary measures, and alleged support for terrorism within the Bar Association's institutions. The decision follows controversy over a disciplinary court ruling that reduced the penalty for a lawyer who publicly stated on October 7 that she "feels like a dream." Despite being invited to present their position to committee members, the Bar Association declined to participate, citing concerns over "damage to the independence of the enforcement system." The committee plans to proceed with the discussion in the absence of Bar representatives, focusing on the claims and issues raised by the disciplinary decisions.