Examining Truth and Justice at Israel's Supreme Court
Monday, December 3, 2012

American Friends mission gets the inside story on law and order in the Jewish state

During a visit to Israel's magnificent Supreme Court building, guests of the "Discover TAU: Campus and Beyond" mission were invited into the privileged chambers of the Supreme Court justices by their newest member — Justice Daphne Barak-Erez, former Dean of the Buchmann Faculty of Law at Tel Aviv University.

In a private discussion centered on Israel's judicial system, Justice Barak-Erez said that staying faithful to the principles of truth and justice can present challenges as unique as the country itself.

"Sitting where I do today, I see the challenges the justice system faces as akin to those of the state. We are both a Jewish and a democratic state. Our constitutional law follows in the footsteps of British law, but doesn't appear in one formal document," she told the group. "This means that there is more flexibility — but that nothing is absolutely certain."

It's what makes the rulings of the Supreme Court — which every day must decide what is considered constitutional — especially poignant, she said.

Justice Barak-Erez, who first took the Supreme Court bench in May, 2012, assured participants that her connection to Tel Aviv University will always remain strong. "TAU is my second home. I started as a student at TAU's Faculty of Law at 18, and it has been a part of my life for almost 30 years. I truly believe it is the best law school in Israel because of the quality of the faculty and students, who are leaders in the legal field."

For more American Friends of Tel Aviv University news, click here.

Keep up with the latest AFTAU news on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AFTAUnews.