Mandelblit takes up new post as Attorney General
The outgoing cabinet secretary replaces Yehuda Weinstein as attorney general; 'The rule of law is knowing that everyone who is affected by crime will know that the perpetrator is going to be caught,' says Mandelblit.
Avichai Mandelblit on Monday afternoon formally took up his new position as attorney general. In a ceremony held in Jerusalem, outgoing AG Yehuda Weinstein told his former colleagues: "I'm going but you will continue to serve the rule of law in the right way."
Mandelblit described the way he views his new role, saying "For me, the words 'rule of law' are not mere words, and affect every citizen in the State of Israel. The rule of law is the knowledge that everyone who is affected by crime knows that the criminal will be caught.
"The legal system will stand behind everyone who is harmed by state institutions, and everyone will be equal before the law," Mandelblit continued.
"We need to work to the highest standards to safeguard the independence of the AG. It's important to remember that the rule of law does not mean the rule of the AG," he added.
"The law is not a means, but rather an end to achieve social goals. It is meant to protect the human rights of every person."
Weinstein held the post of AG for six years. The ceremony, which was held at the offices of the Israel Bar Association, was attended by President Reuven Rivlin, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, and Israel Bar Association head Efi Nave.
In his parting speech, Weinstein said: "We faced difficult and complex tasks. My success was your success. And failures, if there were any, were mine alone. I'm going but you will continue to serve the rule of law in the right way.
"I took a lot of criticism from those who aren't experts," Weinstein continued. "This never threw me off my path, even though that's what they were trying to do. I did it my way."
Justice Minister Shaked gave her blessing to the incoming and outgoing AGs. "This occasion is an opportunity for me to personally thank you for the work we did together, for the discussions and the dialogue that allowed us to strengthen Israel's legal system," Shaked said to Weinstein.
Turning to Mandelblit, she added: "I'm happy that despite attempts from many corners, the committee was able to recommend the most appropriate, valuable, professional candidate, rich in achievements."
Also on Monday, Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev announced together with the Israel Boxing Association that outgoing AG Weinstein is to be an honorary president of the organization.
"Weinstein was a fantastic boxer in his youth and I'm convinced that he will be a great contributor," Regev said.
Mandelblitt, born in 1963, is married with six children and lives in Petah Tikva. He holds a doctorate in international law and military law from Bar-Ilan University. He studied law at Tel Aviv University in the academic reserve, and after graduating in 1985 served in several positions with the Judge Advocate culminating as Military Advocate General. He retired from the army in 2011, and two years later was appointed cabinet secretary.
