Maintaining court's prestige is "top priority," Barak says after several Friedmann legislations held up.
By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMANBarak grin 224 88(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski [file])
Cabinet Secretary Ovad Yehezkel agreed to a request from Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Saturday to remove items from the agenda of the ministerial legislative committee that would have limited the powers of the Supreme Court.
One of the bills would have decreased the representation of the Supreme Court on the judicial appointments committee that deals with chief justices of courts and their deputies. The second bill would have cancelled the practice of appointing temporary Supreme Court justices.
"Maintaining the prestige of the Supreme Court is a top priority of the Labor party and is one of the guidelines of the coalition and is vital to the citizens of Israel," Barak said.
Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann said in response that Barak was claiming credit falsely. He said the first bill was merely delayed at the request of judges before Barak intervened, and that canceling the appointment of temporary Supreme Court judges was still on the committee's agenda and had wide support.
"If Barak wants to delay discussion on this issue, he will have to raise it at the committee and not through the press," Friedmann said.
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