Complaint against Seibert
Israel angered by German ambassador
September 18, 2023, 1:41 a.m
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A highly controversial judicial reform in Israel is being discussed by the Supreme Court, which must examine its own disempowerment. The German Ambassador Seibert is present at the meeting as a spectator. This is interpreted by the ultra-conservative government as “interference.”
According to an Israeli representative, Israel has filed an official complaint in Berlin against the German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert. The reason was Seibert’s participation as a spectator at a historic deliberation of the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on Tuesday, the representative confirmed in the evening. This is seen as interference in Israel’s internal affairs. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s complaint was transmitted via the Israeli ambassador in Berlin, Ron Prosor.
A reporter from the Israeli TV station Channel 13 reported on the incident on the X platform (formerly Twitter). On Tuesday, Israel’s Supreme Court dealt with a highly controversial judicial restructuring of the right-wing religious government in a historic court hearing. For the first time in the country’s history, all 15 judges came together to discuss eight petitions against an adopted amendment to the Basic Law. At the end of the almost 14-hour session, presiding judge Esther Chajut granted 21 days to submit additions. Only then will a decision be made.
“I wanted to see that”
Seibert was also present at the meeting as a spectator. In one Video on X he said in Hebrew: “I think something important is happening here for Israel’s democracy. We as friends of Israel are looking at the Supreme Court with great interest. I wanted to take a look at that.”
Seibert had already been criticized by Israel in the past after he was present as a private citizen at an alternative memorial event for Israeli and Palestinian families. They remembered their relatives who had been killed in the conflict on both sides. Some ultra-right demonstrators then disrupted an event that was taking place there in June with loud protests in front of the ambassador’s residence in Herzliya.