Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Wednesday demanded the dismissal of a magistrate court judge accused of making disparaging comments about religious Zionists, allegedly calling them worse than Hamas terrorists and a “threat” to the state.
“Judge Yoram Broza is morally corrupt and unworthy of continuing in his position even one day,” said Smotrich, who heads the Religious Zionism Party. Broza currently serves as deputy head of the Beersheva Magistrate Court.
Smotrich also criticized judges who reportedly expressed support for Broza in an internal WhatsApp group, accusing them of standing behind “outrageous and dangerous” rhetoric.
“The Israeli judicial system is rotten, unworthy of public trust, and repeatedly demonstrates just how vital the reforms we are determined to implement are—for the sake of justice, equality, Judaism and democracy,” said Smotrich.
“Religious Zionism is the salt of the earth, and with joy, kindness and ahavat Yisrael [love for the Jewish people], it will continue to lead the national revival and take responsibility across all areas of activity in the State of Israel,” he concluded.
According to widespread reports in the Hebrew-language media this week, Broza allegedly expressed anti-religious views during internal discussions with colleagues.
“After we are done with Hamas, we will move on to deal with religious Zionism. Why didn’t they kill [National Security Minister Itamar] Ben-Gvir and his son, Smotrich and his son?” Judge Broza was quoted as saying to a colleague. The senior Beersheva judge allegedly added, “The religious Zionists are worse than Hamas. They are the biggest danger to the state.”
In another meeting with fellow judges, Broza is said to have blamed religious Israelis for the Hamas-led massacre on Oct. 7, 2023. “Because of you, the religious people, all this mess happened to us. The mess of Oct. 7 happened because of you,” he reportedly said.
Broza also allegedly expressed harsh criticism of the government, stating, “This corrupt government and the religious will lead us to ruin; the members of this messianic government are the ones who will bring about the death of us all.”
In a response issued by Israel’s Judicial Authority on Sunday, Broza denied the allegations, stating that the statements attributed to him included “things that were never said and are taken out of context, selectively chosen from private conversations, and do not reflect his views.”
“It is regrettable that some chose to quote fragments of statements that were never made or that distort what was actually said during private conversations between colleagues,” Broza added.
Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel on Wednesday called for an investigation into Broza’s remarks, urging the ombudsman for public complaints against judges, Asher Kula, to open a probe. Arbel made the request during a Knesset debate, emphasizing the importance of public trust in the judiciary.
“Today more than ever, the words of the late Honorable [U.S. Supreme Court] Justice Felix Frankfurter ring true: ‘The court has neither the sword nor the purse; all it has is the public’s confidence.’ That trust is now being put to the test,” said Arbel, a member of the haredi Shas Party.
Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, a lawmaker from Smotrich’s party, also weighed in, declaring, “Yoram Broza cannot remain in his position for even one more moment. His statements against religious Zionism are severe incitement and are unworthy of a judge in the State of Israel.”
He added: “Religious Zionism will continue to make a deep and meaningful contribution to Israeli society at all levels.”
The Tzohar Organization of Rabbis also expressed deep shock at the allegations, stating, “It is not clear how a person who holds extreme views toward an entire public can continue to serve in a judicial position, which requires him to fairly and objectively judge those from all walks of life and worldviews … Statements that compare an entire public to a murderous terror group, and calls to harm public leaders and their families, cross every possible red line.”
On March 26, Israel’s Knesset voted 67 to 1 in favor of changing the composition of the Judicial Selection Committee, the body responsible for appointing the country’s judges and justices. Opposition members boycotted the vote, leaving the hall in protest.
The new legislation alters the committee’s structure by replacing two positions previously held by representatives of the Israel Bar Association with two independent attorneys appointed by Knesset lawmakers. One of the attorneys will be nominated by the ruling coalition, while the other will be chosen by the opposition. A majority of at least five votes will be required for a selection.
Supporters of the judicial reform argue that the judges’ de facto majority has led to ideological homogeneity on the bench, while its critics contend that the reform grants excessive influence to the political echelon.