An Unprecedented Clash Between A Member of Knesset and the Supreme Court Chief Justice: In an unprecedented open letter, the chief justice answered an inciting speech by Likud party MK David Amsalem, who accused her of racism. He accused her of bias towards Sephardi Jews due to her stereotypical views and discrimination. In a speech on the speakers stand, he directly and personally attacked her, claiming she denied discussion in three appeals he petitioned to the court just because she is biased against Sephardi Jews like himself. In his speech he asked what she drank while writing her rulings.
Chief Justice, Esther Hayut decided to write an open letter to him, asking him not to inflame the debate, accusing him of polarizing the public discourse.
The Legal system in particular and the law enforcement agencies in general are under attack from former PM Netanyahu himself, his son and his close supporters and allies from his Likud party and other parties who were part of his coalition and are now in the opposition. Netanyahu accused the legal system of tailoring a case against him in order to remove him from power. Netanyahu is facing indictments of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. His trial continues.
Amsalem’s attack was just another chapter in the continuing attack that aims to disqualify the ability of the court to conduct due process in Netanyahu’s case.
Israel Seeks to Remain Neutral on the Russian-Ukraine Looming War, While Working to Evacuate Israeli Citizens from the Ukraine: Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid in media interviews said that he instructed his staff to keep a low profile and refrain from making any statements that may appear as expressing support for either side. This, despite pressure from both Moscow and Kyiv. A Ukrainian diplomatic source, in an interview to an Israeli media outlet, expressed disappointment that Israel has not shown diplomatic or moral support. The media also reported that the Israeli ambassador to the Ukraine was summoned and reprimanded after Israel asked Moscow for assistance in evacuating its citizens from the Ukraine. Israel has taken steps to air-lift Israeli citizens residing in the Ukraine to Israel. It is estimated that nearly 3,000 people arrived in Israel this week, and 10,000 more are still in the Ukraine. Israeli media also reported a secret plan by the Israeli government to provide temporary shelter to some 200,000 Jews from the Ukraine eligible to make Aliya to Israel
Violent Clashes Erupt Once Again in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem: Tension and violent clashes between far-right Jewish activists, Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah and their allies erupted once again this week. As in the previous round of violence in May 2021, the tensions reached a boiling point when MK Itamar Ben-Gvir, of the far-right party Otzma Yehudit, opened a pop-up parliamentary office in a small lot between the home of a Palestinian family facing imminent eviction, and the home of a Jewish family that was allegedly set on fire by Palestinians. Several Jewish and Palestinian protestors were detained, and others injured in clashes with the police. Ben Gvir himself was hit on the head during a confrontation with police forces and received medical care in a local hospital. He returned to the site the following day.
PM Bennett, Minister of Defense Benny Gantz and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid, condemned Ben Gvir for creating a provocation in Sheikh Jarrah, thus putting Israel’s diplomatic, political and security interests at risk. Unnamed senior police and security officials warned that the clashes in Sheikh Jarrah may spark another round of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Hamas spokesman Muhammad Hamada warned that “settlers’ attacks on Sheikh Jarrah, led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, are a game of fire that could ignite all of Palestine.” Senior Israeli and US officials told the media that the Biden administration has asked the Israeli government to control the clashes and restore the calm in Sheikh Jarrah.
An Unexpected Recess in former PM Netanyahus Trial Due to Claims of the Police Illegally Using Surveillance Software: The panel of 3 judges ordered a recess in the trial after a series of articles in a leading newspaper claimed that the police used NSO Pegasus spyware to obtain information from key witnesses without getting a proper court order. The attorney general created a committee to look into the reports and check if the police acted illegally. So far the findings do not support the story in the newspaper and there was no evidence that tens of telephones were surveilled illegally.
The story broke at Calcalist newspaper a month ago, but so far no supporting evidence has been published that could verify the story. There are growing voices that are calling on the paper to present some evidence, like documents, names and places that can support the story. On the other hand there are growing voices calling on the government to establish a state committee of inquiry to investigate how the police use these advanced software applications against civilians.
The trial is scheduled to continue next week.
PM Bennett in First Trip of an Israeli Premier to Bahrain: Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa earlier this week, during a 24-hour trip to the kingdom. Bennett and Bahrain’s king both referred to the meeting as an historic event and stated that the visit was “fruitful and successful”. The king also expressed his hope that the visit will serve to enhance ties and cooperation between the two countries.
Analysts commented that the visit, the first by an Israeli premiere and unthinkable a few years back, seemed normal, even casual.
For Further reading:
Chief Justice: Here, here, here
Russia-Ukraine: Here, here, here
Ben Gvir in Sheikh-Jarrah: Here, here, here, here