A letter from Dr. Moishe Smoira, the Chief Justice of the Israeli Supreme Court, objecting to criticisms of the Israeli courts by Justice Minister Dov Justice was today brought to the attention of Parliament by its praesidium. The letter by Dr. Smoira to the Knesset praesidium was written in behalf of the entire Israeli judiciary.
The Chief Justice complained that Minister Joseph’s criticisms of the judiciary for its handling of the some 400 Israelis rounded up by the police after the January 7 demonstrations and riot in front of the Knesset would “undermine the public’s confidence and respect for judicial authority.” The Minister had asserted that the courts were too lenient. The letter insisted that the Minister’s criticism was not in a “respectful and honorable form.”
Dr. Smoira pointed out that the letter was addressed to the praesidium of the Knesset because Dr. Joseph’s criticisms were voiced in Parliament and because the judges could not “ascend a public dais” to answer them. It said that the judges did not interpet Minister Joseph’s words as personal criticism, but as an attack on the judiciary, which the judges consider much more serious.
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