'MKs' influence on a large, fervent and inflamed public is harmful and destructive'
Photo: Gil Yochanan
Ziv Lenchner
Photo: Ariel Besor
Haredi MKs must give up immunity
Op-ed: Knesset member inciting against High Court judges should pay the price like any other criminal
Sometimes credit must be given where credit is due: The haredi public's emissaries in politics are entitled to be proud of themselves, because as it says in Jeremiah 31:16, there is a reward for their work. The winds of war they devoutly and skillfully waged in the past few days have done their duty, held on to the corners of the earth and set it on violent fire.
While such expressions coming out of the mouth of the "people," be it a random talkbacker or an interviewee in a street poll, can be treated with concern, albeit moderately, one cannot belittle the criminal conduct on the part of public figures, whose status and importance define and compel them.
The burning substance our hot MKs used can easily be found today across the country and appears to be taking over the market. It can already be given credit for playing an important part in the brutal escalation of the public discourse and in the junglization process the debate culture is going through. It's a simple and efficient substance, accessible to any clenched fist and available to any roaring mouth: Lashing out at the pronounced representative of the rule of law – the Supreme Court.
Draft Bill
Yossi Yehoshua
Analysis: IDF has surplus of soldiers, shortage of quality manpower, new draft bill will only make matters worse
The national sport for senior officials, which has been developing so nicely in recent years, presents intensive defamation of the legal institutions every time their decisions do not please the speakers – personally or politically. There is always one answer: Delegitimization. Even some of the lawyers, the legal system's own flesh and blood, are increasingly inclined towards this aberrant way, but these scholars deserve a separate reference on a different opportunity.
The method, therefore, is not new, but the past week has seen an escalation in the anti-legal terror. The incitement moves taken by the haredi MKs against the High Court had a reason: The decision to cut funding to yeshivas whose students dodged their draft notices. But the reason is meaningless. One may or may not agree with a court's decision or another. (Personally, by the way, I believe that the laws aimed at forcing enlistment on the haredim are unnecessary and definitely unfeasible. That's not the issue.)
The issue is the status of the law in a law-abiding state and the commitment of its citizens, primarily its elected representatives, to accept the authority of the law, and to respect it. And for those who are in need of a reminder: The judiciary is in charge of enforcing the law in the state, as well as restraining the government and protecting citizens from the legislature. Just like that.
When MK Israel Eichler blasts the High Court judges for "striving to create an atmosphere of a bloody civil war" and vows to "defeat the High Court rulers," when MK Moshe Gafni lashes that "the Supreme Court is walking like a thug in the market; we will fight back" – there is no need for interpretation. With their own mouths, the Knesset members are defining themselves as the enemies of the court, as the enemies of the rule of law in Israel.
Citizens inciting against the law this way are supposed to be punished. Parliament members who do it, all the more so. Their great influence on a large, fervent and inflamed public is harmful and destructive. See for yourselves. But unlike the small criminals, they cover themselves with the coat of immunity given to Knesset members, thereby evading trial for much serious offenses than contempt of court.
As Gafni, Eichler and their friends are not at all impressed by the law and its representatives on the throne of judgment, as only Jewish Law is valid and the Supreme Court must be combated in an all-out-war, the haredi knights of justice should take the honor of shedding their immunity. That way they will be able, for a change, to face a terrestrial court of law, fight courageously and with their heads held high – and pay the price like the very last criminals.
After all, wars don't scare them.
