Justice Dorit Beinish, the president of� the High Court of Justice, must decide what steps if any will be taken against Jerusalem District Court Justice Moshe Drori, who granting an unauthorized interview with the daily Haaretz, a violation of the judicial ethics protocol.

Drori gave an interview on the eve of the High Court�s ruling in the state�s appeal in the case of the hit-and-run avreich, Itamar Biton, who was convicted by the High Court, overruling Biton�s decision in the case. While Biton punished the defendant for his actions, he did not convict him, wishing to permit him to continue pursuing a career in dayanos.

In accordance to the judicial protocol, a judge may not grant an interview with the media without first obtaining permission from the president of the court. The protocol states if a member of the press turns to a judge for a response, he/she is required to refer the journalist to the court spokeswoman.

Beinish may file a complaint against Drori with the state judicial ombudsman, or alternatively take disciplinary measures.

The court spokeswoman on Sunday morning reported Justice Beinish has not yet reached a decision.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)