Judges Selection Commission gets first Arab rep

Attorney Khaled Hosni-Zoabi becomes Israeli Bar Association's first Arab representative on committee. 'This is a badge of honor for the Bar,' he says

Aviad Glickman|Published: 11.22.11 , 22:08

The Israeli Bar Association elected Attorney Khaled Hosni-Zoabi as its representative to the Judges Selection Commission, alongside Attorney Rachel Ben-Ari, Ynet learned Tuesday.

Hosni-Zoabi will be the first Arab lawyer to serve on the committee.

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"This is a historic day and a badge of honor for the Israeli Bar Association," he told Ynet. "I see myself as the representative of all of the lawyers in Israel. It's my job to maintain the court's independence and its high standards."

Groundbreaking nomination aside, Hosni-Zoabi's appointment carries political significance, as the composition of the Judges Selection Commission has come under severe scrutiny lately.

The committee's composition has been known to ruffle political feathers more than once, and is said to be the driving force behind a recent legislative initiative by Knesset members from the Right, who wish to subject the nominations to the Knesset's approval.

The new legislation is still struggling through its due process in the House.

Both Hosni-Zoabi and Ben-Ari are considered associates of former Bar Chairman Yuri Guy-Ron, who is considered close to Chief Justice Dorit Beinish.

Current Bar Association Chairman Attorney Doron Barzilai is affiliated with Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman.

Hosni-Zoabi and Ben-Ari were elected by a narrow vote of 24 to 22.