Mandelblit Chosen as New Attorney General

The government unanimously chose Avihai Mandelblit as Israel’s new Attorney General. Mandelblit, who is currently Government Secretary, will replace outgoing Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, whose term expires in the coming days.

Mandelblit was presented to the cabinet at its weekly Sunday meeting by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who said it is clear that he is the right choice. In fact, Mandelblit was the only candidate endorsed by a committee of MKs who were charged with making recommendations for Weinstein’s replacement. Members of the committee included: MKs Anat Berko, Yehiel Katz, former Justice Minister Moshe Nissim, and professor of law Gavriela Shalev. In a statement, the committee said that after it had interviewed numerous candidates and discussed their choice at 14 separate meetings, “we have decided to recommend only one candidate for the position.”

“Despite the fact that the search committee that recommended him for the job was asked to suggest at least three candidates,” Shaked commented, “it was unable to find two other worthy candidates. As such, it would be proper to accept Attorney Mandelblit for the job.”