Former Israeli Supreme Court Justice and Attorney General Edna Arbel Dies at 82

Edna Arbel, former Supreme Court Justice and Attorney General of Israel, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 82. Born in Jerusalem to a family involved in public legal service, Arbel began her career in 1969 as a criminal defense lawyer in Tel Aviv before transitioning to public service. She was appointed District Attorney in 1984, later becoming a judge at the Tel Aviv District Court in 1988. In 1996, she was named Attorney General, and in May 2004, she was appointed to the Supreme Court, serving until her retirement in 2014.

Throughout her career, Arbel played key roles in significant legal and security matters, including serving as the public prosecutor in disciplinary courts for Mossad and Shin Bet employees, participating in the committee investigating the Sabra and Shatila massacre, and representing the Attorney General in the inquiry into the Kav 300 affair. She described her work in these challenging environments as a lifelong bond forged under intense conditions.

President Isaac Herzog mourned her passing, highlighting her decades of dedicated public service and commitment to justice, human dignity, and the rule of law. In her retirement speech, Arbel emphasized her belief in seeing the human element in every case and ensuring all parties could express themselves. Her final ruling underscored the importance of protecting the basic rights of foreign workers in Israel, calling for regulations to extend healthcare rights to long-term foreign caregivers.

Arbel is survived by her husband Uri and their three daughters. Her legacy is marked by her profound impact on Israel's legal system and her steadfast dedication to justice and human rights.