IDI Scholars on the Resignation of Judge Gerstel

Israel Democracy Institute scholars today expressed disappointment in the resignation of retired judge Hila Gerstel from her role as commissioner for prosecutorial oversight.

Israel Democracy Institute scholars today expressed disappointment in the resignation of retired judge Hila Gerstel from her role as commissioner for prosecutorial oversight.

IDI's Prof. Mordechai Kremnitzer and Dr. Guy Lurie said, "The currently planned system of oversight over the state's attorney's office will make it hard to replace Gerstel with another person of her stature, someone who can issue quality and well-researched reports on the behavior of the state prosecution and the attorney general.

"Her resignation just proves that an independent Commission for Prosecutorial Oversight with an ability to provide proper oversight must be established. It is clear that putting oversight in the hands of an internal comptroller, as has been proposed, will not achieve this goal and will turn the commission into a body unable to fulfill its role professionally. It will also not enable increased trust in the justice system."