Supreme Court Justice Attacked at Pool by Ultra-Orthodox Man

Supreme Court Justice David Mintz was verbally assaulted and escorted out of a swimming facility following an encounter with an ultra-Orthodox individual who recognized him. The incident occurred after Mintz, who identifies as religious Zionist, had finished swimming at a gender-separated pool.

The confrontation represents the latest in a pattern of hostility directed at Israeli Supreme Court justices by members of the ultra-Orthodox community. The Judicial Authority's spokesperson declined to comment on the incident.

Two months ago, dozens of members of an extremist ultra-Orthodox faction attacked the home of Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Solberg in the settlement of Alon Shvut. During that assault, rioters threw stones at Solberg's residence, damaging the courtyard, windows, and his vehicle.

The swimming pool incident follows a heated courtroom exchange between Justice Mintz and an ultra-Orthodox attorney just days earlier. During a tense Supreme Court hearing on the military conscription law, Mintz clashed with attorney Nathan Rosenblatt over whether it is appropriate to place a religious person in a dilemma between state law and Torah commandments.

The confrontation escalated when Rosenblatt presented his position to the panel: "The question before the court is whether in a Jewish state it is proper to place a person before the dilemma of whether he wants to obey the voice of the Torah or the voice of the law?"

Justice Mintz, visibly taken aback, responded: "Sir, with all due respect, I am restraining myself. I am hearing these words and simply cannot believe what I am hearing. Is there a Torah prohibition against enlisting?"

When Rosenblatt answered affirmatively, Mintz replied: "Apparently this is a matter of very serious dispute, apparently."

Rosenblatt countered: "All the great Torah scholars." Justice Mintz shot back: "Not all the great scholars of Israel. Sir, you are apparently speaking in a sectarian manner, with all due respect. What is this?"