The court administration updated this evening (Saturday night) that the shattered window discovered on Friday in the Supreme Court in Jerusalem was broken as a result of "the use of a cold weapon such as an air gun or a slingshot.".
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According to the court administration, the Shin Bet is involved in investigating the case.
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""On Friday, June 6, the security cameras at the Supreme Court showed that around 9:00 PM on Thursday evening, when a demonstration was taking place in front of the courthouse, one of the windows in the courthouse was damaged. An examination by security forces indicates that the window was shattered as a result of the use of a cold weapon such as an air gun or a slingshot.
""This is one of the panoramic windows in the courthouse, overlooking the city of Jerusalem. Joint teams of police, Shin Bet, and court security are continuing to investigate the incident with the aim of locating the suspects in the act.".
It was also stated that "this is an unusual, serious and unprecedented event. The close proximity to the demonstration that was taking place at the time and to the messages that were heard against the Supreme Court is disturbing. To the extent that it turns out that this was a deliberate action, the matter should be treated with the necessary severity and those responsible for it should be brought to justice.".
""Attacking the Supreme Court - the highest judicial body in Israel and one of the symbols of government - is crossing a red line and violating the basic values of Israeli democracy. Regardless of the circumstances, there is no justification for violence of any kind against government and law enforcement institutions.".
The Tekuma organization, one of the organizers of the demonstration, said in response:
""The court administration's announcement, and the targeting of 100,000 right-wing protesters, who left their homes to demonstrate against the predatory nature of the judicial system, is disturbing and serious.
The court should understand that in democracies, freedom of expression is also reserved for citizens who protest against the unrestrained conduct of High Court judges. The attempt to demonize good and loyal citizens is the best proof, according to the tens of thousands of protesters, that the Israeli legal system is acting unilaterally against the national camp.
The court spokesperson is acting like a pirated and unfathomable body, a public body that is supposed to be run in a stately manner, inciting against over 100,000 protesters who demonstrated in a legal and respectful rally.
We have never heard a word of criticism from the court spokeswoman against the violent demonstrations of the left-wing protest, during over two years of violent protest, which still includes wild displays of incitement and deliberate personal incitement against the Prime Minister and right-wing ministers. The inciting statement from the court spokeswoman is a blood libel against over 100,000 right-wing protesters, all of this before the facts have been examined and when no one knows the source of the damage to the court window.
What is particularly suspicious is the speed with which the court administration issues a statement of incitement against right-wing protesters and against a legal rally, which was conducted in an exemplary manner and with order and respect for public order. This conduct raises serious questions about the motives of the High Court administration, which has the exaltation of democracy and freedom of demonstration at its throat - as long as it concerns only left-wing protesters, and all those values disappear as soon as it concerns right-wing protesters. The State of Israel must undergo legal reform!"
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Yariv Levin: "I strongly condemn the smashing of the window in the Supreme Court. Violence of any kind is serious and wrong.".
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the damage to the Supreme Court window and called for a firm fight against violence of any kind.
""I strongly condemn any sign of violence of any kind, certainly against any of the government authorities," Netanyahu said.
He added: "I call on public leaders and law enforcement officials to condemn and act decisively against all manifestations of violence and incitement - without exception.".
President Yitzhak Herzog addressed the investigation into the damage to the Supreme Court window on Thursday. "The Supreme Court is one of the pillars of Israeli democracy. Damage to it and its location is crossing a dangerous red line.".
Herzog added: "Violence, incitement and vandalism are completely unacceptable and must be firmly eradicated.".
