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Retired Supreme Court President Aharon Barak. (Tomer Appelbaum) Last update - 18:52 20/01/2008 Barak: Friedmann's proposals will deliver blow to judicial system By Haaretz Service Tags: Aharon Barak, Supreme Court  Retired Supreme Court President Aharon Barak on Sunday harshly criticized Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann's proposed reforms to the legal system, saying they have "a high probability of delivering a severe blow to the courts." Barak made the comments in an interview to Israel Radio. "I think that if all the proposals are put together - the added weight of each proposal would probably cause a blow to the ability [of the courts] to implement law," Barak said in the interview. "It is important to be clear - if the court cannot implement law, I think that it will push the Israeli democracy a few years back." Advertisement This is not the first time Barak has criticized Friedmann's legislative procedures, which primarily aim to increase the power of the political system and to curtail the Supreme Court's power. The justice minister's proposals include increasing the government's representation on the panel that selects Supreme Court justices; giving the justice minister more authority in court cases and giving the Knesset the authority to overrule Supreme Court rulings. At the award ceremony for the Emet Prize for Art, Science and Culture, in which Barak was a recipient, he said that "judges need special protection these days." Several days later, referring to a proposal to reduce the Supreme Court's power to overturn Knesset legislation, Barak said that "there won't be judges in Jerusalem if the government manages the court system." Related articles: Former Supreme Court chief slams planned justice system reforms Ex-justices lash out at reforms proposed by Justice Minister Beinisch: Friedmann's bill will politicize judicial appointments Bookmark to del.icio.us   Vision of cooperation Saudi prince says if Israel leaves Arab land, it could join the Arab world. At odds with PM Bolton says the final IDF op in Lebanon had no impact on UN truce talks.   1.   and about time too! a court that makes its own rules is no court 18:23  |  v hardman 20/01/08   2.   friedman`s propposals 18:30  |  elliot 20/01/08   3.   What else to expect from such "incorrigible"? 18:50  |  Buzaglow 20/01/08   4.   Is A.Barak afraid courts would investigate his real-property deal 18:58  |  Absolute Sweden 20/01/08   5.   According to Barak , all his past" lovers" should sit 19:27  |  Sal 20/01/08   6.   Supreme Court Reform 19:29  |  Norman F Birnberg 20/01/08   7.   A blow to the current system - That is the point ! 19:54  |  Mike 20/01/08   8.   The justice system needs such a "blow" 22:25  |  Binyamin Dissen 20/01/08   9.   Mouldering noodles spout rubish 00:16  |  Shmuel F. 21/01/08

Today Online Barak: Pay no heed to Nasrallah, that's what gives him strength Responses: 243 Gaza power plant shuts down due to fuel shortage Responses: 157 State to review 2007 IDF assassinations in Gaza, West Bank Responses: 80 Shmuel Rosner: Why do Nevada's Jews support Clinton? Responses: 66 Catrin Ormestad: Qassam attacks are destroying life in Gaza Responses: 61 Saudi prince: If Israel quits Arab land, it could join Arab world Responses: 216 Rosner's Domain Why Huckabee worries the Jewish voter 67% of Nevada Jews voted for Clinton Meadow Soprano is more proud of Israel than the US (WTR) Blog & Poll: Can Joe Lieberman convince Jews in Florida to vote for McCain? The Israel Factor: Bloomberg good only without Hagel More Headlines 00:41 Gaza power plant shuts down due to fuel blockade 22:09 Bolton: Final IDF op in Lebanon had no impact on UN truce talks 01:25 Poll: Only 16% of Israleis back Diaspora input on fate of J'lem 22:07 Peres: Public will rule on any deal reached with Palestinians 22:36 Why Republican candidate Mike Huckabee worries Jewish voters 16:21 Ministers call for assassination of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah 18:03 Saudi prince: If Israel quits Arab land, it could join Arab world 18:26 Germany warns Jewish community of terror threat from Lebanon 18:52 Barak: Friedmann's proposals will deliver blow to judicial system Previous Editions Select Day 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan

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