"I have asked the director of the courts to conduct an
immediate examination of the event, without delay. At its
conclusion I will weigh my opinion within the framework of my
authority," announced Justice Minister Yossi Beilin, in
response to a parliamentary motion by MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni.
The motion concerned remarks made by Chief Justice of the
Beersheba Magistrates Court, Justice Elyagon, against a
handicapped lawyer.
Elyagon allegedly told the handicapped lawyer -- who
complained that he couldn't reach the courtroom on the third
floor due to his handicap -- that he should have taken this
into consideration before taking on the case.
Beilin said such remarks attributed to Elyagon by the media
were highly improper and must undergo serious
investigation.
Rabbi Moshe Gafni told Beilin: "If you want the court system
to be respected by the overall population: the chareidi
sector, lawyers, as well as by handicapped individuals,
Justice Elyagon must immediately leave his position."
Rabbi Gafni also reminded Beilin of the deliberations in the
Knesset's Constitution Committee over the "lice affair," in
which Elyagon referred to the chareidi sector as "parasites
and lice" at a lawyer's convention. At that time, the
Constitution Committee asked the Justice Minster to dismiss
Elyagon. However, the Minister accepted the position of the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Aharon Barak, who
sufficed with a rebuke.
Rabbi Gafni stressed that according to din Torah
Elyagon would be dismissed immediately.
