Israeli Supreme Court president warns of violence against judges and lawyers
Israeli Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit said at a conference of the Israel Bar Association in Tel Aviv that verbal attacks by public figures and on social media can pave the way for physical violence against judges and lawyers. Against the backdrop of the election campaign, he called on public figures to choose their words more carefully, The Jerusalem Post reports.
Amit said that the path to physical violence begins with verbal violence. According to him, humiliating public rhetoric about judges ultimately affects the work of courts and lawyers.
Conference dedicated to slain lawyer
The event was initially planned to mark the start of the legal year, but after the murder of lawyer Arbel Feldman, it was dedicated to the issue of violence against professionals. Feldman was shot dead on August 4 in his office in Rishon LeZion.
Amit said that threats may prevent lawyers from taking on difficult or controversial cases, meeting clients alone, and properly representing their interests. He also said that some courts had closed hearings to the public over fears of disturbances and used live broadcasts. In some cases, security personnel escorted lawyers and trial participants to their cars.
The Supreme Court president also mentioned the June disturbances near the home of Supreme Court Vice President Noam Sohlberg in Alon Shvut. According to him, protesters damaged the judge's home and car while members of his family were inside. Dozens of people were detained after the incident.
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Charter against attacks on workers
At the end of the conference, the Bar Association and five other professional organizations signed a joint charter, “Workers Without Fear.” They agreed to establish a permanent forum to combat violence against workers and professionals, promote legislative changes and mechanisms for reporting attacks, and engage with the government, the Knesset, police, and other law enforcement agencies.
The signatories included representatives of teachers, nurses, social workers, public health physicians, and public transport drivers. Israel Bar Association head Amit Becher said that the organization would seek legislation equating an attack on a lawyer with an attack on a public servant.
Charges in the Feldman case
On August 26, the Central District Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against 24-year-old Ahmad Alargov of Ramle in the Lod District Court. He is charged with murder under aggravated circumstances, carrying a weapon and ammunition, destruction of evidence, and obstruction of justice.
According to the prosecution, Feldman represented Alargov in a civil case concerning an insurance claim of about 18,000 shekels following a road accident. Prosecutors allege that Alargov was dissatisfied with the pace of the claim's consideration, entered the lawyer's office with a loaded semi-automatic pistol, and shot him six times at close range. The indictment describes a conflict with a former client and does not cite a political motive.
