Idit Silman: "Supreme Court Justice Amit is Very Dangerous"

Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman launched a sweeping attack on Israel's Supreme Court and its president, Justice Yitzhak Amit, in an interview with Srugim, warning that he poses a threat to democracy.

"There is a judicial system here whose hands are deep in Israel's security conception for years," Silman said. "Look at Justice Yitzhak Amit and his rulings, at his conduct in 'legal piracy.' And it must be said, this is a person who today is dangerous to Israeli democracy, dangerous to the extent that I tell you I'm afraid that ultimately he will annul the results of the next election if a right-wing government is the one chosen."

Regarding the possibility that the Supreme Court could order the dismissal of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Silman said: "This ruling would be contrary to law... When the Supreme Court decides it is above the people... and takes my and your choice and throws it in the trash and says that contrary to authority and contrary to law it can fire a minister in Israel—who has heard of such a thing?"

She added sharp criticism of the Attorney General: "The one leading to anarchy is Justice Yitzhak Amit himself and the Attorney General when they decide to act contrary to authority and contrary to law... We are racing toward a constitutional crisis and someone here needs to wake up."

On Toppling the Bennett-Lapid Government

When asked if it was worth toppling the previous government, Silman responded decisively: "Toppling a government is not an easy thing... I made a decision, a thoughtful ideological decision... I saw that there was real erosion in the Jewish and democratic identity of the State of Israel. I saw that we couldn't really be partners, but rather we were more a right-wing fig leaf within a government that looks progressive, a government that was ultimately controlled by the Shura Council."

She said the situation reached absurdity: "We waited for the Shura Council's decision on the Temple Mount in order to go plant trees in the Negev." She added with pride: "I'm proud that I dissolved that government and I'm proud that I led the establishment of a national Zionist faith-based government."

On October 7 and the Current Government

About Prime Minister Netanyahu, Silman said: "He's a giant in a world of dwarfs... When the steering wheel is in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hands I am much, much calmer." When asked if it was the same steering wheel that led to the October 7 massacre, Silman rejected responsibility for the current government: "The entire country and people are taking responsibility, the government has acted with very great responsibility since October 7. And by the way, that's why we also demand a real investigative committee, not fake, that will come and examine all the failures that led to this thing. And I tell you there are also many failures: the judicial system, the COS, Yitzhak Amit."

Silman also took pride in dissolving the previous government in the context of the war: "If October 7 had happened in the Bennett-Lapid government with Mansour Abbas, it's clear to you that we wouldn't have been able to attack Gaza. It's clear to you that Mansour Abbas wouldn't have allowed it. It's clear to you that the government would have dissolved that day. Our enemies would have seen us as weak."

Revolution in the Environmental Protection Ministry

At the interview's opening, Silman discussed her work at the ministry, which she said changed from a blocking regulator to a leading force in the economy: "I must say that when I received the Environmental Protection Ministry there were many people who shared my sorrow. They told me 'it's a regulatory ministry... that is mostly an obstacle to many other ministries.' I must say we turned this ministry into an engine of social economic growth in the Israeli economy, really a locomotive."

The minister noted a significant achievement recently signed: "A principles agreement was signed to relocate the Safari from Ramat Gan to Ariel Sharon Park. This event frees up significant land reserves in Ramat Gan for construction... and allows a really good place there for animal welfare, a new, modern, advanced safari."

On waste treatment, Silman presented alarming data and plans for change: "When I entered the ministry I was shocked to hear that the State of Israel buries in the ground in giant pits 80% of its waste... We took this issue 10 steps forward... we'll turn the waste into electricity and heat." She also noted the construction waste reform: "We're passing today a huge 'game changer,' a construction waste law. Basically every truck will be monitored... everyone will be required to reach end facilities for treating construction waste."

On Protests and "Brothers in Arms"

The minister sharply criticized protest organizations against the government and didn't retract her statements that it should be examined whether "Brothers in Arms" is a terror organization: "I can tell you that 'Brothers in Arms' led to anarchy here. They dismantled the army from within... There is a systematic organized organization here that operates with funding... calls of 'terrorist,' 'enemy of the Jews' to the prime minister... The partners of 'Brothers in Arms' are those who set fire to the trash cans outside the prime minister's residence, they are the ones who threw fireworks at the prime minister's house."

About the organization receiving an award from the President's Residence, she said: "There's confusion of norms and values here... I think there's a real moral problem here, certainly the President's Residence shouldn't give them some appreciation award and shield."

Silman also shared her personal feelings from the period of protests against her: "They threw pitas at me... sprayed Nazi inscriptions with a bullet in the forehead to a minister in Israel... There's a complete gang here that ran wild in the streets... I didn't hear anyone from the left in all these years come and say this isn't okay."

Word Association Game

To conclude, the minister briefly responded to names mentioned:

Naftali Bennett: "Serial scorpion."

Mansour Abbas: "Clear and immediate danger to the State of Israel."

Yitzhak Amit: "Legal pirate."

Benjamin Netanyahu: "Greatest leader of our generation."