Attorney Zion Amir accused critics of the judges in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trial of hypocrisy on Sunday, after the panel drew fire for summoning the attorney general to appear before it in person.
Defending the Netanyahu Judges
Zion Amir: Critics of Judges Are Hypocrites
Attorney Zion Amir said those who once called criticism of judges an attack on the rule of law are now attacking the Netanyahu trial judges for summoning the attorney general.
Speaking on Galei Israel radio, Amir responded to what Srugim described as criticism from the left directed at the judges following their decision to summon the attorney general.
"To come and say we need to protect the gatekeepers, we need to protect the judges and defend them, because they need to go and convict... but the moment they stepped out of line, suddenly it's 'I don't understand these judges, they've lost it,'" Amir said.
"To use the expression from the film 'They Shoot Horses,' here they shoot judges too. Listen, this is shocking. They can't one day say that, oh dear, criticizing judges is an attack on the rule of law, and when it suits you, you voice venomous criticism of the judges."
Last week the judges ruled that the attorney general must attend a hearing in person, despite her objection. According to the decision, the hearing is intended to examine with the parties' authorized representatives "various options concerning the manner in which the proceeding is conducted and advanced, with regard to Mr. Netanyahu."
The judges noted that they had been informed the attorney general "is of the view that there is no need for her to appear, and that in this context she relies on the representatives of the prosecution appearing in the case."
"After considering this position, we have concluded that there is nonetheless added value in the appearance of the legal adviser herself," the judges wrote. "The reason for this is that in order to hold a purposeful two-sided dialogue, in our assessment it is necessary for the official responsible for making the decisions to be able to hear things directly and respond to them as needed."
The court set the hearing with the attorney general present for Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
