"Criticism of the conduct of the courts is important and appropriate, but it must be done in an appropriate and respectful manner. The judiciary views statements against judges severely for carrying out their work," Justice Michael Spitzer, director of the courts, said Monday in a letter addressed to all judges on the subject of video conferences.
The judge's remarks came against the backdrop of Israel Hayom's revelation that while in the detention hall of the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court, the on-duty detention judge, Itai Harmelin, demanded that a caption be removed from the visual designation screen that read: "The IDF will win."
Justice Spitzer added: "The judiciary regularly uses the state emblem and the Israeli flag in the courtrooms. The same is true of detention hearings held in courtrooms where the hearing takes place by visual conference. It is hereby clarified that the identity of the detention facility from which the actual hearing takes place must be noted only. In addition to the flag in the courtroom, the Israeli flag can also be placed in the detention center."
This morning, IPS Commissioner Cpl. Kathy Perry instructed the teams of the Nachshon Unit – the detention escort unit of the Israel Prison Service – to hold all legal hearings against the background of state symbols and the Israeli flag only.
Commissioner Perry, Judge Harmelin, Photo: Jonathan Shaul
"In light of the publications pertaining to detention proceedings that are discussed by way of visual designation, and taking into account that in light of the special state of emergency, the use of visual zoning procedures is increasing in other areas of law as well, I would like to inform you that we intend to work with the various entities to determine the principles guiding the parties in such hearings," the Director of Courts wrote. "Israel's judges do their job faithfully, fearlessly and impartially in times of emergency as well as in routine times," he concluded.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us