Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich issued a stern warning to Supreme Court Justice Ester Hayut about the danger to Israeli democracy if she weighed on cases involving the country’s basic laws when he spoke at a right-wing rally in Jerusalem on Thursday night.
Don't you dare invalidate a fundamental law, the responsibility is on you,” declared Smotrich who heads the Religious Zionist Party.
At issue is the upcoming High Court of Justice petition on September 12, which calls on the court to invalidate the Knesset’s amendment to a basic law limiting the judicial review.
Smotrich looked out at the crowd, which rallied in support of the government’s judicial reform plan, stating: “Look at each other, see the beautiful, loving nation of Israel, serving in the army, practicing the Torah, fighting for the land, for its identity and ours.”
After praising the crowd he turned his voice to the Supreme Court calling on it not to rescind the Knesset amendment. “To invalidate a basic law is a deviation from authority and something that will harm Israeli democracy."
Smotrich's comments alluded to the ongoing reservists's protest, in which many long-time reservists have refused to serve due to the judicial reform.
Calls for calm
His calls for calm echoes the recent decision by religious-nationalist Rabbis to call for a broad consensus on the subject of the judicial reform.
They warned that the judicial reform could lead to mass disunity in the people of Israel, saying "The magnitude of the hour requires taking responsibility. A 'victory' of one side may turn into a loss for all of us."