My guest today is Simcha Rothman. Recently named by the Israeli financial daily "The Marker" as one of the 100 most influential people in Israel. I know Simcha from my TV days hosting the Spin Room, a debate show, and Simcha, being the attorney that he is, was a fierce and formidable rival for the folks I put up against him.
He is the co-founder and legal counsellor of an NGO called Meshilut, the Movement for Governability and Democracy and he recently wrote a book called “The ruling party of Bagatz – How Israel became a legalocracy”, which is basically a tearing down of what he believes is the Israeli Supreme Court’s over-interventionism.
Now, I know I set out at the beginning of this podcast journey to listen to everyone and anyone between the River and the Sea, but I have to admit, this one was a challenge. Simcha is a settler, he doesn’t even live in a settlement, he lives in an outpost! He’s hardcore, Jewish right wing. Otherwise Occupied is not supposed to be a debate podcast, but I think at times this episode came close to that...
I’ll let you be the judge. Tell me what you think.
Here’s me and Simcha.