Justice Elron Challenges Supreme Court Presidency Tradition

Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron has taken an unprecedented step Wednesday by announcing his candidacy for the presidency of the court. Elron’s decision breaks from the traditional practice of appointing the eldest justice as president, a challenge that aligns with the government’s desire to have a justice of its own choosing assume the position. This move comes amid the expected retirement of current president Justice Esther Hayut, and the potential appointment of Justice Yitzchak Amit, who is considered a liberal, as the eldest judge.

Elron’s announcement also prompted a response from Hayut, who stated that Elron would not participate in hearings related to the Committee for Judicial Selection, which is responsible for appointing judges. Instead, another justice will take his place in these proceedings.

The process for selecting a Supreme Court President involves the committee, which comprises nine members. At least five votes are required for the selection, a threshold that currently seems unlikely to be met. Historically, the appointment was determined based on seniority. While the law doesn’t explicitly specify the required majority to appoint the president, the prevailing interpretation suggests an ordinary majority of five out of nine.

The Committee for Judicial Selection currently includes Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Hayut, Amit, Justice Noam Solberg, as well as members from political parties and the Israel Bar Association. The government has yet to appoint an additional minister to represent its interests within the committee.