Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu bade farewell to outgoing Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch Sunday, in a meeting attended by all of the Supreme Court judges, including the new President, Judge Asher Grunis.

“I wanted to thank you on behalf of the Nation of Israel and the State of Israel,” he said, “for your long, courageous and important service, in safeguarding the Supreme Court. You did it wonderfully, in a period that was not simple, under arrows of criticism. That is not easy for anyone but it is especially difficult for judges because they usually lack the platform for responding directly. But I think you stood your ground in a very impressive manner.”

Netanyahu added: “I think the independence of the court is built-in and essential. In Israel, the court was, is and will remain independent. All attempts to bring things that harm the independence of the court are destined to fall. I shoved aside every proposal that was meant to hinder or curtail the courts’ independence.

Netanyahu also congratulated the new Supreme Court President, Judge Asher Grunis. “You are carrying on a fabulous tradition and legacy – there is no other word but fabulous – which is an essential element in our national existence.”