Justice Dorit Beinish, the president of  the High Court of Justice, must decide what steps if any will be taken against Jerusalem District Court Justice Moshe Drori, who granting an unauthorized interview with the daily Haaretz, a violation of the judicial ethics protocol.

Drori gave an interview on the eve of the High Court’s ruling in the state’s appeal in the case of the hit-and-run avreich, Itamar Biton, who was convicted by the High Court, overruling Biton’s decision in the case. While Biton punished the defendant for his actions, he did not convict him, wishing to permit him to continue pursuing a career in dayanos.

In accordance to the judicial protocol, a judge may not grant an interview with the media without first obtaining permission from the president of the court. The protocol states if a member of the press turns to a judge for a response, he/she is required to refer the journalist to the court spokeswoman.

Beinish may file a complaint against Drori with the state judicial ombudsman, or alternatively take disciplinary measures.

The court spokeswoman on Sunday morning reported Justice Beinish has not yet reached a decision.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)