Former Israeli Supreme Court President discusses importance of independent judiciary at Cybertech Global
Assaf Rappaport, CEO & Co-Founder of Israeli unicorm Wiz, discussed human rights and democracy with Dorit Beinish
Mandi Kogosowski
| 31/01/2023
Photo: Gilad Kavalerchik
A unique discussion on the Cybertech Global 2023 main stage: Assaf Rappaport, CEO & Co-Founder of Israeli unicorn Wiz, who is active in the “High-Tech Protest” against the proposed government changes in Israel’s judiciary system, hosted Former President of the Israel Supreme Court, Dorit Beinisch, for a candid conversation.
Rappaport played a video clip of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from 2012 (he served in the same position then as well), during which he stressed the utmost importance of an independent judiciary system in maintaining a democratic country. Rappaport then asked Beinish what has changed.
“I don’t know what changed but definitely, if we would accept what PM Netanyahu had to say in 2012, I have nothing more to add. We need an independent judiciary in a democratic country,” replied Beinish, to the audience’s applause.
“This is the most important element of a democratic state, an independent judiciary Although we share values with many democratic states, we developed the legal system differently. We don’t have a constitution, for example,” said Beinish.
“What is a democracy? Separation of powers, checks and balances, protecting human rights – and this is what the court stands for. And I think we’ve had great achievements with our legal system. We are very proud of what we’ve achieved.
'So what is the danger now? We are an a-political court, the basis is professional, the common values we share are pluralistic. And this is now in danger.”
Rappaport asked Beinish about the US system, in which politicians choose the judges. This argument is often brought up by the Israeli reform’s proponents.
“Every system is a whole,” said Beinish. “You can’t just take one element. The US has a strong constitution, a president with certain powers, two legislative houses…Israel doesn’t. We only have the courts. The suggested changes give the government a lot of power, and this may become government tyranny.”
Beinish and Rappaport both agreed, that in less democratic countries, economy and innovation cannot thrive.
Assaf Rappaport, CEO & Co-Founder of Israeli unicorm Wiz, discussed human rights and democracy with Dorit Beinish
Photo: Gilad Kavalerchik
A unique discussion on the Cybertech Global 2023 main stage: Assaf Rappaport, CEO & Co-Founder of Israeli unicorn Wiz, who is active in the “High-Tech Protest” against the proposed government changes in Israel’s judiciary system, hosted Former President of the Israel Supreme Court, Dorit Beinisch, for a candid conversation.
Rappaport played a video clip of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from 2012 (he served in the same position then as well), during which he stressed the utmost importance of an independent judiciary system in maintaining a democratic country. Rappaport then asked Beinish what has changed.
“I don’t know what changed but definitely, if we would accept what PM Netanyahu had to say in 2012, I have nothing more to add. We need an independent judiciary in a democratic country,” replied Beinish, to the audience’s applause.
“This is the most important element of a democratic state, an independent judiciary Although we share values with many democratic states, we developed the legal system differently. We don’t have a constitution, for example,” said Beinish.
“What is a democracy? Separation of powers, checks and balances, protecting human rights – and this is what the court stands for. And I think we’ve had great achievements with our legal system. We are very proud of what we’ve achieved.
'So what is the danger now? We are an a-political court, the basis is professional, the common values we share are pluralistic. And this is now in danger.”
Rappaport asked Beinish about the US system, in which politicians choose the judges. This argument is often brought up by the Israeli reform’s proponents.
“Every system is a whole,” said Beinish. “You can’t just take one element. The US has a strong constitution, a president with certain powers, two legislative houses…Israel doesn’t. We only have the courts. The suggested changes give the government a lot of power, and this may become government tyranny.”
Beinish and Rappaport both agreed, that in less democratic countries, economy and innovation cannot thrive.
