Head of the Chimi Bar Association: "I have always opposed politicians who tail the system and harm it" | Israel today

"I have a strong coalition in the firm, and not because I distribute jobs," says Bar Association Chairman Avi Chimi in a special interview with the "Shishvat" supplement. Three years have passed since Adv. Avi Chimi was elected chairman of the Bar Association.

Five justice ministers have changed during his tenure, but he remains stable and intends to remain in office even after the upcoming elections for the post, in the summer of 2023.

"I did not think I would be the head of the bureau," he says in a comprehensive interview to be published in full on Friday in the "Shishvat" supplement, "but I felt we had to get under the stretcher. "It's on the right track, especially in terms of values ​​and ideology. Today I have a strong coalition, not because I pamper its members and distribute jobs, but because the way is clear."

The race for the chairmanship of the bureau

About a year ago, the Deputy State Attorney decided to close the sexual bribery case against Chimi's predecessor in office, Efi Naveh, and former judge Etty Kreif, who rocked the state at the time.

Although he noted the serious findings, he said there was no reasonable chance of conviction.

Epic Naveh.

Everyone has the right to compete, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon

A few months later it was announced that Naveh was considering running for the bureau again.

Will he face it again, do you think?

"This is what's beautiful in a democracy, anyone can cope. I'm responsible for the work I do, and if after the achievements we made during my term I do not choose, I'm probably an idiot. To this day I have not been an idiot.

"I have been a lawyer for 32 years, and I have always respected the legal system and believed that without fear of royalty we are in trouble. I have always opposed politicians who tail the system and harm it. I believe the Supreme Court is the fortress of democracy and human rights. Politicians come and go, the system stays."

"The Supreme Court intervenes in legislative legislation is limited. I hear politicians say 'sorry we did not address the justice system', as if it is dealing with violence in Israeli society. What needs to be addressed? Change is always welcome."

Is there no danger of a Supreme Court judge being intoxicated by force? "I appear in the Supreme Court once or twice a week, so it is impossible to sell me stories. Who is that? Judge Dafna Barak-Erez, a leader in human rights protection?

And on the other hand, Roman Zadorov's retrial does not indicate the weakness of the system? "On the contrary. There should be many more retrials. In my opinion, this is a tremendous strength. "

In high profile

Chaimi is a lawyer who is usually involved in high-profile cases, from "Tinder crook" Simon Leviev he represents, to the boy Eitan Biran affair whose parents were killed in the cable car disaster in Italy, where he represents the family members left in Italy.

In an interview to be published this weekend, Chimi talks about these two issues, touches on the complex relationship between the legal system and the political system, criticizes the investigations into the Netanyahu trial and the use of espionage, and addresses questions about public trust in the legal system and ethnic tensions in Israeli society.

He also talks about his personal path, which began as a teenager in Kiryat Shmona and is perhaps aimed at the position of future Minister of Justice.

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