Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken out after newly appointed Minister Amir Ohana remarked that there could be extreme circumstances under which the government should not comply with rulings from the High Court of Justice.
In a short but direct statement on Twitter, Netanyahu clarified that "the court's rulings are binding for everyone."
In the controversial interview with Channel 12 News on Thursday, Ohana was asked about his past assertion that not every court ruling should be followed.
He responded that "Tali Hatuel lived in Gush Katif. She arrived at the Kissufim crossing and was shot by terrorists who had made it to the crossing. It turns out that the terrorists reached the Kissufim crossing under the protection of several buildings. The military identified the buildings as a security risk, and the High Court of Justice – although it lacks the expertise – decided to prevent the demolition."
Asked whether as a result, under certain circumstances, the High Court's ruling did not need to be followed, Ohana replied, "Yes. The top consideration should be safeguarding civilian lives."
Senior members of Israel's justice system have also come out against Ohana's remarks.
"We must view with severity the fact that an Israeli justice minister, on the day he is sworn into the position, chooses to share with us his unprecedented and reckless judicial worldview, according to which not all rulings issued by the court must be honored," Chief Justice Esther Hayut said.
"I only want to say one thing about this," she said. "The path between this worldview and the anarchy of 'every man did that which was right in his own eyes' is short."
In a statement, Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit said, "In the State of Israel, as a Jewish and democratic state founded on the principle of the rule of law, the obligation to comply with court rulings is fundamental. This is not an option that is subject to choice. This is a duty imposed on every citizen."
