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Friedmann's supporters, opponents publish letters
Professors call for public debate surrounding reforms in judicial system to be carried out without personal attacks and in a professional manner; meanwhile, another group of senior jurist slams Friedmann
"We, law professors, ask that the public discussion on the legal system in Israel be carried out without personal attacks and in a professional manner, and appeal to Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann to continue his efforts to correct the flaws in the judicial system in a professional manner and with the goal of strengthening it and increasing the judges' independence," they wrote.
The signatories on the letter include former Education Minister Professor Amnon Rubinstein, Professor Shimon Shetreet of the Hebrew University, Rector of the Interdisciplinary Center Moshe Bar Niv, Dean of the Netanya Academic College Professor Sinai A. Deutch, and others.
Prof Rubinstein told Ynet that, "Despite the impression created in the media as if Prof Friedmann is alone in the academic world, we represent the academy no less than the Tel Aviv and Haifa universities."
Prof Shetreet added, "We aim to clear any personal residue surrounding the affair and bring it back up to the judicial level. Contrary to what has been stated, the reforms are not aimed at undermining the rule of law… but to strengthen it."
Opponents publish letter as well
Meanwhile, another group of senior jurists published a letter Monday denouncing Friedmann's methods and accusing him of attacking and undermining the Israeli judicial system.
The professors who signed the petition wrote they wished to express "our protest over the method of operation of our colleague, Professor Daniel Friedmann as Israel's justice minister, and our deep concern over its implications to the rule of law in Israel.
"The minister's methods express, regretfully, a lack of respect toward the Supreme Court and the law enforcement authorities, thus undermining the principles of the rule of law that are a strategic asset to Israeli society."
Among the signatories are Professor Eyal Benvenisti and Professor Daphna Barak-Erez of the Tel Aviv University, Professor Emanuel Gross of the Haifa University, and former dean of the Faculty of Law at the Hebrew University Professor Mordechai Kremnitzer.
