JERUSALEM — An Israeli man today hurled his sneakers at Israel’s Supreme Court chief justice, striking her between the eyes, breaking her glasses and knocking her off her chair.
Dorit Beinisch, who is in her late 60s, was hit by the first shoe and knocked to the ground as the second one flew past, witness Michael Eden said.
Eden said the assailant, an older man with thinning gray hair, tossed the shoes from the fourth row of the packed courtroom, and yelled, “You’re corrupt, a traitor, because of you I lost everything.”
Beinisch, who has served as chief justice since 2006, received first aid in her chambers before returning to the courtroom a few hours later to conclude the hearing.
Her husband, Yehezikel Beinisch, told Israel Radio his wife sustained minor injuries to her nose and eye, but her glasses apparently absorbed most of the blow.
“She didn’t see who threw it, her glasses broke and she fell from the force of the blow,” he said, adding that the blow left a red mark on her eye and nose.
He said his wife didn’t recognize the assailant and wouldn’t say whether she had been subject to any threats.
Court security guards subdued the attacker and called police, who took him into custody, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said.
Court spokeswoman Ayelet Filo identified the man as Pinchas Cohen. Filo said the man’s motive was unclear.
The incident took place during a hearing on medical marijuana. Court officials said the attack did not appear linked to the case.
Beinisch’s rulings include decisions against the use of Palestinians as human shields and support for reopening sections of a West Bank road to Palestinian traffic.
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