Former Israeli Supreme Court Justice Edna Arbel Passes Away at 82

The Israeli Supreme Court announced on Wednesday the passing of retired Justice Edna Arbel at the age of 82. Arbel was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2004 and served for about a decade before retiring at age 70. Prior to her Supreme Court tenure, she worked in the Central District Attorney's Office from 1972 to 1988, serving as its chief prosecutor for the last four years. From 1988 to 1996, she was a judge at the Tel Aviv District Court.

In January 1996, Arbel was appointed Attorney General of Israel. She also acted as the interim Legal Advisor to the Government in his absence, led the "Prosecutor's Office 2000" committee, and chaired a committee that formulated an ethical code for prosecutors. Arbel participated in international discussions on the International Criminal Court held in Rome, The Hague, and Strasbourg.

She contributed to the investigation team for the Cohen Commission, which examined the Sabra and Shatila massacre, and authored a report commissioned by the Attorney General following the police investigation into the "Bus Line 300" affair. Arbel represented the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General in various committees and taught criminology and criminal law at Tel Aviv University and Ono Academic College.

Her extensive legal career spanned prosecution, judiciary, government advisory roles, and academia, marking her as a prominent figure in Israeli law and justice.