Disrespect for judicial rulings erodes Israeli democracy


March 23, 2018
JFJFP
When Israeli politicians ignore Supreme court rulings they don't like, they offend the rule of law and undermine democracy.

Israeli Supreme Ccourt

Akiva Eldar, in Al Monitor, writes, “Israeli Supreme Court Justice Hanan Meltzer reprimanded the state March 19 over its continued evasion of the Supreme Court’s instructions to ease overcrowding in the nation’s prisons, saying, “Our verdict was not a recommendation.” His remark reflects the serious undermining of Israeli democracy by disrespect for judicial rulings”.

Law-abiding democratic countries uphold the cardinal and obvious principle of respecting and executing the rulings of the courts. Apparently, this is not the case in a state whose prime minister constantly lambasts law enforcement authorities. And former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who only recently exchanged his prison garb for civvies, heaps scorn in a new memoir on judges, senior prosecutors and a former state comptroller.”

An ordinary citizen who decides to ignore a court ruling knows he stands to pay for it with his freedom or bank account, as well as his reputation. Politicians, on the other hand, view verdicts that are incompatible with their populist messages as opportunities to make headlines. Israeli prime ministers and Cabinet members who make a mockery of court rulings have never had to pay the price, neither at the ballot box nor at the bank. “(read more)

(See David Sperlinger’s review of The Wall and the Gate in our Books section.)

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