Federal US judge faces complaint over staunch pro-Israel advocacy

What the report says

A Florida lawyer has filed a judicial misconduct complaint against U.S. District Judge Roy Altman, a federal judge in Florida appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019, accusing him of anti-Palestinian bias and of using his office to promote pro-Israel views. Al Jazeera reported that the complaint was submitted earlier this month to the Eleventh Circuit Court and argues that Altman’s public comments and activities could undermine confidence in the federal judiciary.

The filing cites Altman’s media appearances, social media posts and public talks, including an April interview with the Middle East Forum, a right-wing group, in which he described the keffiyeh as associated with terrorism. The complaint also says he has used judicial resources during business hours for public advocacy, including broadcasting from chambers in Miami and involving law clerks in some appearances.

The report says Altman has repeatedly blurred references to Jews and Israel in his comments and has portrayed criticism of Israel in strongly hostile terms. It also notes that he has promoted trips to Israel for judges through a World Jewish Congress program, and that the complaint questions whether such travel could create the appearance of bias in cases touching on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Under U.S. judicial rules, misconduct complaints are reviewed by the chief judge of the relevant appeals court, who can dismiss them or appoint a committee to investigate. Giannamore told Al Jazeera that she did not expect immediate discipline, but wanted to raise broader concerns about judicial impartiality and public trust.