Solomonic Justice

Israel has been an experi-ment in democracy in the Middle East for 75 years. Israel's Supreme Court has been the most suc-cessful branch of govern-ment in Israel, taking the lead in protecting the rights of minorities, Arabs, Ethiopian Jews and others. The High Court has also opened the doors to most challenges to government authority.

Unlike the United States, most citizens groups in Israel have standing to challenge government ac-tion, including the loc-ation of the border wall built between Israel and the West Bank.

Israeli justices are re-quired to retire at age 70 ensuring turnover on the Supreme Court. Unlike courts in the United States and the United Kingdom, decisions of the Israeli Supreme Court often give partial victories to both sides. The U.S. and the U.K. have more winner-take-all decisions. Where there is Solomonic Justice both sides come away with a claim to success.