The day after the serious attack in Jerusalem, the Israeli government appointed Mani Mazuz - the judge who most strongly opposed the demolition of terrorists' houses - to one of the most senior positions in the country: Chairman of the Commission for the Appointment of Senior Officials. If, as senior ministers claim, Mazuz's appointment was preceded to allow his appointment The necessary and required of the Chief of Staff - why appoint a person whose duties harmed Israel's security?
It is not clear if the government ministers who voted in favor of Mazuz's appointment to the position remember that ten petitions were placed before Manny Mazuz during his session as a judge in the court of law regarding the demolition of terrorist houses, including: the house of the terrorist who stabbed to death Rabbi Nehemiah Lavi and the late soldier Aharon Bennett in October 2015 ; the home of the terrorist who killed in a shooting attack at the entrance to the settlement of Har Ader, Sergeant Solomon Gabriya, 25-year-old Yosef Othman, a resident of Abu Gush and a former MGB fighter, and Or Arish, a security guard resident of Har Ader in September 2017.
Mazuz also ruled, in a minority opinion, to accept the petition not to destroy the house of the terrorist who is accused of intentionally causing the death of Sgt. Judge Mazoz that "a conscious and intentional harm to the innocent, and even more so a serious harm to their constitutional rights, and this only 'so that other potential perpetrators of the crime will be seen and be seen', is an act that does not come to mind in any other context." In fact, if it was up to Mazuz, would have completely abolished the demolition of terrorists' homes as a deterrent policy.
This, despite the fact that all the Chiefs of Staff of recent years have a different opinion from Mezuz, who is an expert in his own right on deterrence. Thus, for example, Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot said: "Demolishing houses is a very effective tool of deterrence." Benny Gantz, as Chief of Staff, also supported the demolition of houses Terrorists, as are former Shin Bet chiefs Avi Dichter and Yoram Cohen.
In the attack that was carried out last Saturday night, deterrence is extremely important, since the terrorist turned himself in to the authorities very quickly, and according to a security source, this happened after the terrorist "felt the pressure on his immediate environment".
There is none more legitimate than him
According to a report by the post-Zionist organization HaMoked for the Protection of Individuals, which was presented to the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee in 2018, only 30 percent of terrorist houses that were designated for demolition were destroyed. But the bigger problem is not only that some of the petitions are accepted. The High Court's legal procrastination on the subject. The relatives of the attacker-murderer become the victim, come to the court en masse, and many times the relatives of the victim's family become the ones who are presented as aggressive, and it is precisely they who have to explain their position.
The Israeli government made a decision contrary to reality and logic, a decision that will inevitably harm deterrence.
There is no doubt that Mezuz, who specialized in judicial activism, will pass this policy on the appointment of senior officials as well.
His opposition to deterrence by demolishing terrorist houses should have served as a bright red light.
In practice, this decision tears off the mask from those who tried to explain to us that the government will not make decisions that would harm national security.
On the contrary.
The irony of appointing Mazuz - the serial opponent of the demolition of terrorists' houses - to appoint a chief of staff who will take care of deterrence and security, does not stop here.
Mazuz, who was appointed to his post during a transitional government, saw appointments like these in a completely different way when he served as Supreme Court Justice.
Many remember the sticks that Mazuz stuck in the wheels for the Minister of Justice, Amir Ohana, in the appointment of acting state attorney.
Not a permanent appointment - acting!
The same mezoz even prevented the appointment of a director general to the Ministry of Justice.
Any appointment in a transitional government, it seems to him, is not legitimate.
Except for his own appointment to an eight-year term, to one of the top positions in Israel.
Matan Peleg is the chairman of the "If You Want" movement
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