A victory for the rule of law
The appointment of former Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz to the Supreme Court sends a loud and clear message. It is a victory for the rule of law and the Sons of Light who have defended it. Back in 2011, when Yaakov Neeman was justice minister, the Sons of Darkness torpedoed his appointment, citing the very reasons that got him the job on Sunday. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni offered her unqualified support for Mazuz all through the deliberations. Supreme Court President Asher Dan Grunis also endorsed him. Both should be commended.
That is not to say that the other appointee, Tel Aviv District Court Judge Anat Baron, is any less qualified. But she has practiced civilian law, far from the public eye. If she was tapped because of her professional expertise and personality, Mazuz was chosen for his willingness to take on politicians head-on and battle rampant corruption as attorney-general. This very trait is what prevented his appointment to the Supreme Court three years ago.
It is only natural that the Sons of Light are split over his record as the chief prosecutor. Most notably, he decided not to indict Prime Minister Ariel Sharon over the Greek Island affair and offered to sign a plea bargain with President Moshe Katsav after the latter had been accused of alleged sexual misconduct. But these disagreements were always expressed professionally; there was no ulterior motive amongst the Sons of Light.
When all was said and done, there was consensus that Mazuz managed to maintain his integrity and exercise the highest degree of restraint in the face of malicious attacks. He marched along unimpeded, using his intellect and wisdom. He was always cognizant of the enormous responsibility he was shouldering.
Several years ago, when then Prime Minister Ehud Olmert became embroiled in the "cash-envelopes scandal," Mazuz summoned American businessman Morris Talansky for a deposition. The would-be defendants and other criminals were outraged, saying it was uncommon to have such a step taken before an indictment was filed. Mazuz stuck to his guns and greenlighted then State Attorney Moshe Lador's request.
Mazuz's list of defendants included many from the jet set who were convinced the chickens would never come home to roost, whatever the crimes. He also ratcheted up the pressure on organized crime and made sure prosecutors' integrity could not be challenged.
The opposition from Neeman and his cohorts in the legal world only bolstered Mazuz's prestige. He got stronger with each barb they sent his way. His integrity was on full display when he refused to appoint Yehuda Weinstein as state attorney. Similarly, when Weinstein was appointed as his successor, his response was lukewarm.
Three years ago, Mazuz's detractors thought they had the upper hand. They were convinced that he would pay a heavy price for his time as attorney-general. They were sure he would never make it. To paraphrase the Book of Esther, that is the punishment for the man whom the Sons of Darkness desire not to honor. But Livni, Grunis and the others on the nominations committee turned the tables on the Sons of Darkness. This was not just another vote, it was a unanimous decision.
Mazuz is a known quantity, having served as attorney general for six years. He has held all of his predecessors in high regard, but he considers former Supreme Court President Meir Shamgar his role model. The latter's tenure as attorney general provided him with a template.
Mazuz deserves this appointment. It righted the wrong from three years ago, when he was told he could not serve in the highest court of the land.
"Let this year and its curses come to an end," Jews say on the Jewish New Year. For all its curses, this year ends on a high note.
טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו