Free Republic

Almost two years after a Haifa court ruled that Israel was not negligent in the 2003 death of American activist Rachel Corrie during a protest against IDF operations in the Gaza Strip, the Supreme Court heard her family’s appeal of the verdict Wednesday afternoon. Speaking before the hearing in Jerusalem, Craig Corrie, the activist’s father, said the lower court’s ruling had given the army “immunity and impunity.” “I think that’s very dangerous,” he said. “I hope the Israeli high court will change the findings, but if they don’t, I hope the world and the world press will bring it into...

Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann came under a barrage of criticism Wednesday after announcing a set of reforms apparently aimed at increasing the governments' influence on judicial appointments. The Justice Minister suggested far-reaching changes to the way judges and court presidents are appointed, sparking angry responses from both Knesset and the justice establishment. One proposal concerns alterations to the composition of the Judges Election Committee, which is responsible for appointing judges to the Supreme Court. The committee is presently made up of nine members: The justice minister, an additional minister representing the Justice Ministry, the Supreme Court President, two Supreme Court...