Israeli-Arab judge sparks controversy after refusing to sing anthem - Israel Hayom Staff

by Israel Hayom Staff 

Supreme Court Justice George Karra stays silent during the singing of the anthem at swearing in of Chief Justice Esther Hayut, angering some in right-wing circles

Justice George Karra  

Photo: Yossi Zeliger  

 

Supreme Court Justice George Karra did not sing the national anthem during the swearing-in ceremony for new Chief Justice Esther Hayut on Thursday, sparking criticism by some on the Right.

"Hatikvah," the words to which were written by the late poet Naftali Herz Imber, speaks about the yearning of the Jewish soul for Zion and Jerusalem after generations of persecution.

MK Bezalel Smotrich (Habayit Hayehudi) tweeted "Only in Israel" while sharing a video showing Karra at the event. This is not the first time an Israeli-Arab justice refuses to sing the national anthem. In 2015, Salim Joubran refused to sing the anthem during the retirement ceremony for then Chief Justice Asher Grunis. In both cases the justices stood during the singing, as is customary.

Former Justice Elyakim Rubinstein came out in Karra's defense on Sunday, saying: "There is no reason why we should insist on having Israeli-Arab citizens recite words that do not reflect their background." Karra told the court's secretariat that he did not wish to comment.

Karra was sworn in as a Supreme Court justice in June.

Israel Hayom Staff

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/2017/10/30/israeli-arab-judge-sparks-controversy-after-refusing-to-sing-anthem/

Follow Middle East and Terrorism on Twitter

Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.