On Sunday, the High Court of Israel issued a conditional order mandating Justice Minister Yariv Levin to justify his failure to convene the Judges' Selection Committee. The judges emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the committee has not been assembled, leading to a critical shortage of judges and negatively impacting the justice system. Levin has three weeks to respond to the court’s order, which is set for a deadline of March 8.

The court’s action follows a hearing on a petition by the Movement for Quality Government, calling for immediate assembly of the committee. During the proceedings, justices criticized Levin's inaction, pointing out that the lack of judges has resulted in significant justice delays, with defendants, including those accused of murder, being released due to inadequate judicial resources. Judge Stein characterized the situation as a crisis, particularly highlighting the dire circumstances in the Be'er Sheva District Court, where six judges are reportedly missing amidst rising crime rates in the southern region.

The gravity of the judicial shortage was reiterated by the justices, with Judge Groskopf asserting that the minister must be aware of the severe repercussions of his actions on public service. The petition, which has garnered the support of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, aims to expedite the appointment of judges to fill the existing vacancies, ensuring the justice system can operate effectively and uphold the law efficiently in the face of escalating criminal activities.