MK Ariel denies opposing Beinisch

MK Uri Ariel (National Union), whom Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to appoint to the Judicial Appointment Committee, yesterday denied reports that he opposes Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch.

Israel Bar Association head Yori Geiron, who for nine years was one of the two bar association representatives on the committee, harshly criticized Ariel being appointed instead of Kadima's choice, MK Roni Bar-On, because Ariel is known to oppose Beinisch and judicial activism, he said.

Geiron said attempts should be rejected that would politicize the committee through MK appointments, or that would "involve extreme political figures."

Ariel said that if and when he is appointed to the committee, he will first deal with learning the system.

However, the lawmaker said: "In the justice system in general and in the Supreme Court in particular, representation is lacking of groups such as women, Druze and religious [Jews]."

Ariel also said, "Too many prosecutors and public servants are appointed judges."

Ariel says he believes there should be more openness to bringing in judges from academia.

The committee's closed-door deliberation policy should be done away with, Ariel also said.

"Like most things in these new times, transparency benefits the matter and does not harm it," he said.

Ariel slammed the High Court justices' decision not to see Gush Katif in person ahead of the disengagement.

"When it comes to a decision with such implications, so dramatic and so fracturing, the court could have broken with its custom and gone down there, so that its ruling would have a better foundation," he said.

In terms of the High Court's rulings on conflicts over land ownership between Jews and Palestinians, Ariel said: "Former court president [Meir] Shamgar was the one who allowed Palestinian residents of Judea and Samaria to appear before the High Court. But I think this option is being taken advantage of."

Ariel said conflicts over land ownership should be decided by a regular court.

Ariel also noted that judicial delays must be solved by filling vacant judicial posts and giving courts more employees and equipment.

Attorney Hassan Jabarin, director of Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, said an Arab representative should be appointed to the committee immediately. Jabarin called Ariel's appointment "an attempt to threaten the judicial system and set its path via political influence."

Retired Supreme Court justice Dalia Dorner told Haaretz yesterday that in light of the amendment to the law, a seven-member committee majority is required to appoint a judge. This means the vote of at least one of the three justices on the committee is needed, which will moderate political influences, she said.