Supreme Court President Says Violent Rhetoric Fuels Attacks on Judges and Lawyers

Supreme Court President Isaac Amit told an Israel Bar Association conference that verbal violence can precede physical attacks on judges and lawyers. He cited damage outside Deputy President Noam Sohlberg’s home and attacks directed at judges Oren Silberman and Ruth Spielberg-Cohen after rulings. Amit said some courts have closed proceedings or used livestreams, while the Courts Guard has escorted lawyers and litigants to their vehicles in extreme cases. He urged full prosecution of attackers and threat-makers and called on public officials to choose their words carefully ahead of the election.