New attorney general vows to uphold autonomy, fight corruption

Incoming Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on Monday vowed to uphold the autonomy of the nation’s top law enforcement office, and vowed to fight corruption and uphold the rule of law.

“We must work tirelessly to uphold the independence of the attorney general. It’s important to remember that the attorney general is not subject to the authority of any man,” Mandelblit said at his swearing-in ceremony in Jerusalem. Instead, he would, he said, “be beholden only to the rule of law.

“To me, the words ‘rule of law’ are not just meaningless words. ‘Rule of law’ means that those who are victims of crime, know the perpetrators will be caught,” he continued.

Mandelblit went on to say that Israel’s legal system would “stand behind” anyone harmed by state institutions, and vowed that “everyone will be equal before the law.

“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,” he added.

Mandelblit’s appointment was seen as a victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, with the latter a vocal critic of outgoing attorney general Yehuda Weinstein, whom, she argued, worked to obstruct government legislation. “Weinstein worked for the interests of nobody but the state,” Shaked said Monday, nonetheless, at the ceremony marking Mandelblit’s entry into office.

Mandleblit was nominated by a special committee appointed by Shaked in late 2015. The cabinet unanimously approved the appointment earlier this month.

In his parting speech at Monday’s ceremony, Weinstein hinted at his strained relationship with Netanyahu’s cabinet.

“I took a lot of criticism from people who aren’t experts in the field,” he said. “But I never allowed this to distract me from my job, even though that’s what they were trying to do.

“We faced difficult and complex tasks. My successes were your successes. And any failures, were mine alone,” Weinstein said. “I’m going, but you will continue to serve the rule of law in the correct way,” he said of his successor.

Shaked praised Mandelblit’s appointment, despite some government opposition to his new post.

“I’m happy, despite attempts from many corners, that the committee was able to recommend the most appropriate, valuable, professional candidate, rich in achievements,” she said.

She urged Mandelblit to “protect your independence.”

Mandelblit holds the rank of major general in the IDF reserves, and served as head of the IDF’s Military Advocate General corps from 2009 to 2011. He also served as a military judge in the Gaza Strip before Israel’s withdrawal from the coastal territory in 2005. He was responsible for legal aspects of the army’s activities during the Second Lebanon War of 2006 and Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in 2008-9. Among other matters, he dealt with the legality of cluster bombs and with the UN’s controversial Goldstone Report on Cast Lead.

During his service in Gaza, Mandelblit openly welcomed dialogue with human rights groups, famously claiming, “They do their job and I do mine.”

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.