High Court Orders Justice Minister to Convene Selection Committee

The High Court of Justice has ruled that Justice Minister Yariv Levin must convene the Judicial Selection Committee to elect a new president for the Supreme Court, a decision that could deepen tensions between the judiciary and the executive. This ruling came after Levin's nearly year-long refusal to hold a vote, which has been deemed unlawful. MK Gideon Sa'ar supports the court's decision, emphasizing the need to respect the verdict, while MK Simcha Rothman argues that it violates legal mandates regarding judicial appointments. The court's decision is expected to lead to the appointment of Justice Isaac Amit, who is favored by the liberal camp, as the next president following the retirement of interim chief justice Uzi Vogelman in October. Levin has been pushing for the appointment of conservative judge Yosef Elron instead, raising concerns about potential politicization of the court. The High Court's mandate requires Levin to publish candidates' names within 14 days and convene the committee shortly thereafter.