Full Breakdown
Lawyers Seek Stronger Protection from Harassment in Israel’s Supreme Court
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Petition Before the High Court of Justice
On a Wednesday, the High Court of Justice in Jerusalem began hearing a petition filed in 2024 by the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, HaMoked, Gisha, Yesh Din and Physicians for Human Rights Israel. Represented by attorneys Michael Sfard and Einat Gayer, the petition asks the Court to order the Courts Administration to prevent right-wing activists from approaching, filming, and intimidating lawyers inside the Supreme Court building. The petitioners propose a designated protest zone inside the courthouse to separate demonstrations from legal work.
Background & Context
Complaints of lawyer harassment date back to 2020. After a June 2023 meeting with Sfard, the Courts Administration issued instructions treating intrusion, curses and incitement as disturbances requiring guard intervention. In December 2024 the Administration defended its balance between lawyer safety, freedom of expression and public access, citing a Bar Association room for private work. The petitioners contend that the policy itself, not individual guard conduct, remains inadequate and could deter lawyers from taking on sensitive cases.
Data & Statistics
- March 30, 2026 – During a hearing on displaced Palestinians’ return to West Bank refugee camps, an activist allegedly pushed Association for Civil Rights in Israel attorney Oded Feller as he entered another courtroom.
- October 29, 2025 (scheduled) – After a hearing on Red Cross visits to detention facilities, a court security officer escorted lawyers and association staff out of the building.
- Three-meter rule – Guards have been instructed to keep a three-meter distance from lawyers to protect personal space.
- December 2025 – A Supreme Court decision allowed advance restrictions on courtroom attendance when serious disruption is reasonably anticipated.
Official Statements & Responses
The Courts Administration submitted an updated response ahead of the hearing, stating that security preparations have been strengthened, guards are explicitly instructed to intervene against filming used to harass, humiliate or intimidate lawyers, and additional training and advance planning are in place. The petitioners countered that the existing measures leave lawyers forced to hide or retreat while harassers remain free to move.
What’s Next
The Administration’s internal directive remains under review, and the petition continues to seek a court order establishing a designated protest zone inside the Supreme Court. If granted, the ruling could reshape security protocols and affect how public demonstrations are managed within Israel’s highest judicial venue.