Kathmandu— US District Judge Roy Altman is facing a formal complaint accusing him of eroding public trust in the federal judiciary through staunch pro-Israel advocacy and alleged association with Islamophobic groups. Florida lawyer Katherine Giannamore filed the complaint earlier this month, citing remarks Altman made characterizing the keffiyeh as a “terrorism scarf” and his frequent use of judicial resources to promote Israel, including media appearances and talks delivered from his chambers. The complaint alleges that Altman’s actions demonstrate anti-Palestinian bias and raise concerns about impartiality within the judicial system, particularly as he promotes a book defending US ally Israel while cases related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are before the courts.

Complaint Details Alleged Bias

The complaint filed with the Eleventh Circuit Court details multiple instances of what Giannamore considers problematic behavior. It alleges that Judge Altman has consistently used his position to advocate for Israel, both during business hours and through social media activity. The complaint specifically highlights an April appearance on a podcast with the Middle East Forum, described as a right-wing group focused on countering “lawful Islamism,” where Altman referred to the keffiyeh – a traditional Palestinian headdress – as a “terrorism scarf.” Giannamore argues that such remarks demonstrate a clear bias and undermine the judiciary’s impartiality.

Promoting Israel Through Official Channels

According to the complaint, Judge Altman has utilized judicial resources to promote his views on Israel. This includes conducting media appearances from his chambers in Miami and involving law clerks in public talks during work hours. Giannamore claims these activities have been persistent, occurring almost daily over several months. Furthermore, Altman actively promotes a travel program organized by the World Jewish Congress that sponsors trips to Israel for federal judges, comparing them to similar initiatives undertaken by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for members of Congress. He has stated that approximately ten percent of the federal judiciary have participated in these trips.

Controversial Remarks and Equating Judaism with Zionism

The complaint points to several statements made by Altman which it characterizes as hostile towards Arabs and Muslims. In one instance, he framed the conflict not as a dispute between Israelis and Palestinians but as a broader struggle between seven million Jews and two billion Muslims, suggesting the latter are motivated by a desire to destroy Israel. He also declared that “there is no distinction” between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, a position considered controversial by many. During a talk at Florida International University, Altman claimed he had brought ten percent of the federal judiciary on trips to Israel, raising concerns about potential bias in cases related to the conflict.

Calls for Awareness and Discussion

Giannamore acknowledges that her complaint is unlikely to result in immediate disciplinary action against Judge Altman, given the lifetime tenure afforded to federal judges. However, she emphasizes the importance of bringing attention to this issue and sparking a broader conversation about acceptable behavior within the judicial system. She hopes it will encourage reflection on whether such advocacy undermines public confidence in the judiciary’s impartiality, particularly when dealing with sensitive political issues.

Judge Altman did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication. The Eleventh Circuit Court has yet to announce whether it will investigate the complaint or dismiss the claims.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.