The President of the Supreme Court, Justice Esther Hayut, is ending her term today (Monday), and after 33 years, will retire from the judiciary.
In her letter, she referred to the "Iron Swords" war and wrote: "We must not lose hope for other, better days, let us keep togetherness with all our might." Since the Judicial Selection Committee does not meet to choose a replacement for Hayut, it will be its Vice President, Justice Uzi Fogelman, who will take its place.
Justice Hayut against Levin reform: "Israel's 75th year will be remembered as the year in which the country's democratic identity was severely damaged," February // Photo: Shmuel Buchris
"As fate would have it, on the day of my retirement from the judicial seat, we are in one of the most difficult periods in the history of the state," wrote the retiring Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, "We bury our dead and bandage our wounds, and pray for the speedy return of all the abducted and missing to their families. Therefore, this time is not suitable for festive ceremonies or retirement events. At this time, it is better to concentrate on action, assistance, reinforcement and support."
"This is the secret of the strength and strength of Israeli society, which is revealed in all its glory in the painful and unbearable days that we are all experiencing," she added. "Indeed, it is a dark hour, but as Andad Eldan writes, 'There is dawn and aura, and we must not lose hope for other, better days.' During my farewell tours of all the courts, before the darkness fell upon us, I said goodbye to you with a message of hope, and gave you as a souvenir a bookmark on which were written, among other things, the words of the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: 'Hope is the belief that together we can change things for the better.' Today, more than ever, these words carry a deep meaning – let us do things for the better. Let us keep togetherness with all our might."
"Let's do something to change things for the better." Judge Esther Hayut (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Justice Hayut referred to Justice Minister Yariv Levin's refusal to convene the Judicial Selection Committee until the passage of the law that will change its composition. As a result, with Hayut's retirement, the committee did not meet to choose the judge to replace her. "Unlike previous presidents, I was not able to transfer the position to a permanent president who would be appointed under me. I am confident that the judiciary is in excellent hands under the leadership of its Vice President, Justice Uzi Fogelman, who by law will serve as Acting President of the Supreme Court."
Judge Uzi Fogelman (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
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