Solomonic Justice : How the Israeli Supreme Court Has Become a Beacon of Justice in the Middle East

Israel has been an experiment in democracy in the Middle East for 75 years. The Israeli Supreme Court has been the most successful branch of government 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 have standing to challenge government action, including the location of the border wall built between Israel and the West Bank. Israeli justices are required to retire at age 70 ensuring turnover on the Supreme Court. Unlike courts in the United Kingdom and the United States, 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. Solomonic Justice is where both sides come away with a claim to success.