Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, Yariv Levin, today (Friday) addressed Judge Menachem Mizrahi's decision in the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court to release Yonatan Urich and Eli Feldstein to house arrest, contrary to the police's request to extend the detention by a week - and presented it as another step in the fight against what he called "selective enforcement" and "tailored cases.".
Following the decision, police and prosecutors attacked Judge Mizrahi: "His decision is a show before the Judicial Selection Committee. It looks like a show. Not only in this hearing but also in previous hearings. The judge does not understand the incident or the security context.".
Minister Levin supported the judge: "What is happening today before our eyes is another step in the collapse of the selective enforcement policy that has been implemented here for decades without any Minister of Justice daring to act to stop it. The decision of the Honorable Justice Mizrahi is evidence of the new winds blowing in the judicial system.".
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The minister added: "No more automatically standing behind false investigations and fabricated cases. No more yes-men from the prosecution. More and more judges are showing integrity and independence, and are not submitting to the dictates of the heads of the system as has been the case to date.""
However, Levin clarified that this is an ongoing process: "It's not yet the majority of judges, it's not yet a complete change, but these voices are getting louder and they can no longer be silenced.".
The Minister of Justice sharply attacked the anonymous criticism directed at Judge Mizrahi by officials in the prosecutor's office and the police: "The attack on the honor of Judge Mizrahi, which is being carried out in a cowardly and anonymous manner, is a failed and disgraceful attempt to deter those who reveal the truth. The silence of the heads of the judicial system and the Bar Association in the face of this attack testifies more than anything to their hypocrisy.".
Levin reiterated the principles of the reform he is promoting in the judicial system: "The struggle to change the judicial system, to stop selective enforcement and to restore democracy, is a difficult struggle against those who have held corrupt and unlimited power for decades. Determination is required, cohesion is required, and patience is also required. We are already seeing the fruits of this struggle today.".
