Gloves are off as tensions rise in judicial system
Spokesman for justice minister slams 'orchestrated' attacks from Supreme Court president, former justices. Former Justice Heshin calls on minister to resign, says 'I would tell Friedmann to go back from whence he came'
"The orchestrated attacks against the justice minister, from Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish's letter and on to the public appearances by former justices, are characterized by failing to address the matter at hand and excelling at never actually examining the proposals made by the minister in a serious manner," said a spokesman for Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann on Thursday morning.
"The minister's proposals are for the good of the judicial system, they solidify its power. The proposal on the agenda does not impair the authority of the Supreme Court president," he wrote.
Also on Thursday, former High Court Justice Mishael Heshin called on Friedmann to resign his post following recent developments: "I would tell Friedmann to go back from whence he came."
"The judicial system is in continuous frantic hysteria. The decrees he issues one after the other - while he is yet speaking, there came also another – it's exactly like what happened to Job. And to (Prime Minister Ehud)Olmert – your failures are not wanted; rein in the minister you appointed. That is the responsibility of the prime minister and the parties," said Heshin in a televised interview.
Barak: Don't lash out at judicial institutions
Meanwhile Defense Minister Ehud Barak came to Beinish's defense on Thursday during a Labor faction meeting."The Supreme Court and State Comptroller's office should not have to wage an ongoing campaign to defend their status," said Barak.
"The rule of law in general, and the Supreme Court in particular, along with the comptroller, are the cornerstones of democracy. The dialogue between the government and these institutions must be honest and respectable. The institutions must no be lashed out at and neither should the people in them," he said.
In an attempt to restore the calm, MK Menachem Ben-Sasson, chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, spoke with Beinish and Freidmann on Wednesday and both agreed to appear before the committee separately.
Meretz MK Zahava Gal-On slammed Ben-Sasson's invitation and said that a Knesset committee would not be the appropriate forum for the "justice minister's crazed assault on the judicial system… The Constitution Committee is not the Colosseum and the judicial and executive branches are not gladiators to be thrown in the ring to fight as the committee members look on and cheer."
Attila Somfalvi and Amnon Meranda contributed to this report
