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Israeli Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked Visits the Sephardic Community of NY

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On October 28th The Sephardic Community was honored in hosting current Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked at the home of Regine and Jack Ashkenazi. Recently chosen as “Israel’s Most Influential Person”, Minister Shaked is widely considered “Israel’s most successful female politician since Golda Meir”. Serving as Minister of Justice since 2015, she has been a leader in reforming activist courts and at the forefront of creating a more transparent and democratic judiciary branch in Israel. Many of her recent initiatives focused on establishing the State of Israel’s Jewish character and defining the legal status of Judea and Samaria. She spoke to a full crowd about current events as well as the Strategic goals of her initiatives. Reproduced below is a short interview conducted prior to the event.

Dr. Murray Mizrachi [MM]: In the wake of the horrendous tragedy that occurred in Pittsburg, what message can American Jews take away?

Minister Ayelet Shaked [AS]: A huge tragedy and the most brutal anti-Semitic attack in American History. We will not let the Anti-Semites win. Am Yisrael Hai. We need to use this moment to untie and emerge stronger than before.

[MM]: What inspired you to leave your career in the business world and enter into politics?

[AS]: I was always passionate about politics. After my army services and University I was working in the high tech industry for Texas Instruments. The trigger for me to leave and enter politics was the 2005 disengagement from Gaza.

[MM]: Do you view yourself as centrist or right wing?

[AS]: I am right wing. As such, I represent and view myself as a representative of the values of the right wing and conservative movement in Israel today.

[MM]: One of the largest changes to Israel’s Judicial system during your ministry has been the appointment of hundreds of new Judges. What has been the impact?

[AS]: Judges impart their values and Hashkafat Olam [world view] into their rulings. By nominating conservative judges, we have created a more balanced and representative judicial that better serves Israeli citizens.

[MM]: One of your main missions as justice minister has been to curb judicial activism. Why is this a threat to Israel’s Democracy?

[AS]: It is not a healthy indicator when the judicial branch begins legislating. The Israeli public chose their representatives and elected government officials through democratic elections. An unelected judge who legislates does not represent the will of the people.

[MM]: So why is it that your critics claim your reforms are in fact a threat to democracy?

[AS]: This is totally wrong and a politically motivated critique. Today the Supreme Court of Israel is more diversified and improved from recent years. Our courts now better represent the Israeli public which in turn has created more trust in the judicial process.

[MM]: What is the role of Halakcha [Jewish Law], if at all on the Israeli Judicial Law? Will this change in the future?

[AS]: Israel is a modern democracy and rules according to these principles. Halacha does play a role in certain laws. For example, in our country’s marriage laws the Israeli Law follows the Halacha. During my 3 years as Minister I have allocated money to help educate judges and provide resources for the Mishpat Ibri [the Hebrew/ Jewish Law]. In the many cases where the law is undefined, judges may rule according to Mishpat Ibri. For thousands of years our people have faithfully preserved our laws until a time when they would be applicable in our homeland. It would be most appropriate in such cases for judges to refer and be aware of our tradition.

[MM]: Do you see any alternative to the two state solution?

[AS]: Do you know the definition of insanity? Although I was always against the two State Solution, the State of Israel has attempted the same process for close to 30 years. When we tried unilateral disengagement [from Gaza] this too was a disaster which resulted in war and the exposure of hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens to the threat of missiles and rockets.

[MM]: So what could a final status of Judea and Samaria commonly referred to as the “West Bank” look like?

[AS]: The head of our Bayit Yehudi Party, Naftali Bennett has called for the annexation of Area C and the formation of an Arab confederation of Areas B and C with the State of Jordan. Area C has over half a million Israeli citizens with 100-200 thousand Arabs. We can absorb this entire area democratically and apply our laws effectively.

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