In a move that surprised most, Supreme Court Justice Yoram Danziger on Tuesday, 9 Adar, announced he is stepping down next year. With years to go in his term, the judicial and political communities were caught by surprise with his move to retire.

In addition, Justice Uri Shoham is scheduled to retire next year so there will be two vacancies and two fewer liberalizations on the bench.

With her startling success in the latest appointments of four justices, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked may actually succeed in bringing in conservatives to begin the change in the nation’s High Court, which has been ultra-liberal over recent years. Some will demand a judge who is an expert on corporate law, as is Justice Danziger.

Adding to the puzzle, court President Justice Miriam Naor will retire in September, so her seat on the appointments committee will be taken by Justice Esther Hayut.

There are three High Court Justices serving on the nine-member appointments committee. Two additional seats are held by the Israel Bar Association. Two other seats belong to the cabinet, filled by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who is the committee chair and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon. Representing the Knesset are MKs Nurit Koren (Likud) and Robert Elituv (Yisrael Beitenu).

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)