TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has begun his Cabinet reshuffle by designating a law professor who has been very critical of the legal system as justice minister.
Olmert nominated Prof. Daniel Freedman, a former dean of the law faculty at Tel Aviv University, Tuesday evening before the Cabinet, which unanimously approved the move.
Freedman has criticized the High Court of Justice's tendency to consider everything fit to be brought before it, including political issues. Such issues should be resolved in the Knesset and the Cabinet, he argued.
Last Friday, in an article in the Yediot Aharonot newspaper, Freedman sharply criticized the verdict of three Tel Aviv Magistrate Court Judges who unanimously convicted former Justice Minister Haim Ramon for having kissed a soldier sticking his tongue into her mouth.
Ramon resigned before his trial and his position was filled temporarily while Olmert waited for the court's verdict. Ramon can no longer return to his old job and it is yet to be determined whether he can return to the Cabinet.
Olmert filled the slot. But he still has to appoint other ministers; find a portfolio for the new Arab minister, Ghaleb Majadele, who is minister without portfolio; and give another post to the hawkish Israel Beitenu party.
He offered Labor the welfare ministry providing it gives up another ministry it holds, but so far none of the ministers is ready for a swap.
