The decision of the commissioner ruled that the Supreme Court judge, who was discussing the petition against the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, should be informed that his daughter is a senior official in the ministry.

• Judge Mazuz

  Photo: 

  Noam Rivkin Fenton

Ombudsman Uri Shoham on Monday dismissed public complaints as Chief Justice Manny Mazuz had to announce as a proper disclosure that his daughter was a senior in the Ministry of Labor and Welfare when he was discussing the Kav LaOved petition against the office. However, the Commissioner ruled that this would not cause the judge to disqualify the case.

As part of the petition, the Line for Employee demanded that the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and other bodies take action to prevent further deaths among construction workers and ensure their safety.

In his decision in response to the B'Tselem's complaint to the High Court, the Commissioner wrote: "As far as there is any doubt there is no doubt." Therefore, according to the commissioner, Judge Mazuz was to inform the parties in advance that his daughter, Yael Mazuz Harpaz, is one of the defendants.

The commissioner added that there has recently been a growing trend of criticism by the Israeli public about the judicial system, noting that "the issue of conflicts of interest among Israeli judges must be considered. This is of great importance."

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The B'Tselem organization said in response to the decision: "We welcome the Commissioner who understands the public, who also requires transparency and fairness. The Commissioner repeatedly states unequivocally that judges are not above the law and condemns them for misconduct or conflicts of interest. Judges' conduct so that they too understand that they are not above the law. "