Last update - 00:00 06/12/2007
AG opposes Friedmann's plan to curtail Supreme Court's power
By Yuval Yoaz, Haaretz Correspondent
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz released a statement Thursday criticizing Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann's plan to curtail the Supreme Court's power by limiting the issues on which it can rule.
Friedmann's proposed bill would bar the Supreme Court from ruling on defense and fiscal issues, or State Prosecution decisions made on criminal issues, plea bargains and the closing of cases.
In the statement, Mazuz said that while there should be a public debate on the limitations of the Supreme Court, these limitations must not be enforced through legislation, which he said would lead to civil right abuses.
Mazuz stated that he expressed to Friedmann his opinion on the matter months ago in a meeting. He also said that several weeks ago, he relayed a detailed document to Friedmann which "portrayed a clear stand which stated that a bill regarding the Supreme Court's involvement on defense issues or state prosecutor's decisions should not be pursued."
Friedmann's planned reforms to the Supreme Court, which he declared to pursue upon his appointment the Justice Ministry in February include making requirements for petitions to the Supreme Court more stringent, in order to lessen the court's workload, in his words.
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