[78295] Constitutional Crisis: High Court Orders Levin to Convene the Judicial Selection Committee

[78295] Constitutional Crisis: High Court Orders Levin to Convene the Judicial Selection Committee

High Court vs. Justice Minister: Order to Convene the Judicial Selection Committee

In a dramatic ruling issued unanimously, the High Court of Justice determined that Justice Minister Yariv Levin must convene the Judicial Selection Committee. The decision focuses on the urgent need to appoint judges to the district courts, with an emphasis on the districts in Beersheba and Haifa. According to Zirat HaWar, the judges set a timeline of only one week for the publication of the list of candidates.

Justice Minister Levin responded sharply, defining the ruling as a "patently illegal decision." In comments published on Amit Segal's channel, Levin accused the judicial branch of "taking over the Judicial Selection Committee" and claimed that this is an "unprecedented constitutional crisis." Levin even quipped at the judges, stating that if they wish to set the dates for convening the committee, they should run for the Knesset and try to get elected as Justice Minister.

Reports in ynet News and News In Real Time indicate that, given his principled position, Levin intends not to carry out the High Court's ruling. Conversely, the High Court judges noted in the verdict that "the Justice Minister and other committee members would do well to make an additional effort to reach understandings" regarding the filling of the four vacant positions on the Supreme Court as well, as reported in Kol HaHadashot.

Coverage of the issue reflects a divided line in the media landscape: organizations identified with the political right, such as Moti Kastel and Yinon Magal, described the move as a "judicial rampage" and backed Levin's position. In contrast, other media outlets presented the High Court's decision as a reasoned legal ruling necessary for the functioning of the judicial system.