The High Court on Monday, ruled against the so-called Big Brother Law and accepted a petition filed by ACRI (Association for Civil Rights in Israel) and the Israel Bar Association against the law.

The law sought to grant wide sweeping authority to a number of government agencies, which the petitioners insist would result in gross violations of basic rights of citizens. The agencies include the Environmental Agency, Israel Antiquities Authority and Nature and Parks Authority. The petitioners simply stated that constant tracking and monitoring was an intolerable invasion into one’s privacy, not to mention the law would be the stepping stone to eliminating other rights, privileges of confidential conversations enjoyed by physicians, attorneys and other professionals.

The court convened in an expanded 7-justice panel. Chief Justice Dorit Beinish told petitioners the court does not see the law violating personal privacy as stated, but the court feels the law must be more accurately defined and parameters set in place considering today’s technological capabilities.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)