Judges fear growing violence in wake of attack on Supreme Court justice’s home
Dozens of judges have contacted their court administrators to express worries in light of the attack on Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg’s home yesterday by Haredi extremists, saying they fear the violence will reach their homes and families as well, Channel 12 news reports.
Judges also say they are concerned that the attack on Sohlberg will make it harder to do their work, chilling the justice system, the channel reports.
The Israel Judges’ Association, which represents the interests of judges in dealings with the Israel Courts Administration, has announced meetings in all courts around the country on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. to discuss the impact of the attack on Sohlberg’s home and the need to ensure that judges can perform their duties without fear.
Former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak tells the channel that the attack has made him very worried about the safety of judges, warning that Israel was on a slippery slope that could lead to the murder of judges.
Barak also expresses concern with increasing violence in Israel in general, and the possibility that societal divisions could even lead to a civil war.
“It started with protests in the courtrooms, and… continued on to what happened with Judge Sohlberg, and it could come to the murder of a judge,” Barak says.
“Our society has become more violent for reasons that are known and we are heading for a growing national schism, and I will not be surprised that if the necessary steps aren’t taken… principally by the government and principally by the prime minister, then we will even get to a civil war,” he continues. He adds that he does not believe such an eventuality will happen in the immediate future.
Government attacks on the heads of law enforcement agencies are in part responsible for the increase in antipathy toward anyone involved in checking government power, mentioning the legislation being advanced by the coalition to gut the position of the attorney general of almost all authority.
“It’s clear that there are attacks on the courts, and when there are attacks on the court and on a judge, be he conservative, activist, whatever his position is, the very fact that he acts as a check on the governing authorities bothers them and they want to be rid of him,” says Barak, who also expressed concern for the integrity of the upcoming elections.