Rivlin: Shin Bet 'is under fire at the moment'

President Reuven Rivlin participated in the swearing-in ceremony for 29 new judges at the President's Residence on Tuesday, where he said criticisms of the Shin Bet have become 'irresponsible.' 'The Shin Bet is under fire at the moment,' he said. 'There can be no democracy without criticism. Criticism, even of our most important agencies – and first and foremost judicial oversight, as we have seen in the past few days, is the best disinfectant and a fundamental requirement. But we must take care to avoid irresponsible attacks on those whose job it is to protect and defend Israel's security from domestic and foreign threats.' The Shin Bet is currently experiencing backlash over its treatment of Jewish terror suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Aysha Rabi, a Palestinian woman from the town of Bidya in the West Bank. Addressing the judges, Rivlin said, 'the judge must disconnect from public discourse about left, right and center, conservative and progressive. Today, perhaps more than ever, the judiciary is under public scrutiny in Israel. 'This is a generation that judges its own judges. Every one of you who joins the bench today will be identified from now on with the judiciary and part of the image it projects,' he said.

Rivlin: Shin Bet 'is under fire at the moment'

Speaking at a ceremony for the swearing-in of judges, Rivlin addressed criticism of the Shin Bet in the wake of investigations into Jewish terror suspects

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Rivlin: Shin Bet 'is under fire at the moment'

Speaking at a ceremony for the swearing-in of judges, Rivlin addressed criticism of the Shin Bet in the wake of investigations into Jewish terror suspects

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