Supreme Court Vice President and veteran Justice Elyakim Rubinstein stepped down from the bench on Tuesday, 19 Sivan, retiring after 13 years on the Israeli High Court of Justice. A special ceremony was held attended by officials including Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked.

There were tears as Shaked made mention of the justice’s daughter Cheri A”H, who was niftar a number of months ago after battling an illness for a number of years.

He was praised for his long years of public service, which in addition to the High Court included legal advisor to the Foreign Ministry, a member of the negotiating team leading to the Camp David Agreement, Deputy Chief Mission of the Israel Embassy in Washington, Cabinet Secretary, negotiator involved in the Madrid Agreement, Oslo Agreements, and attorney general.

Rubinstein, who is Shomer Shabbat, is viewed by the frum community as liberal and anti-chareidi in his rulings. He ruled a doctor can refrain from treating a patient who refuses life-saving treatment; he ruled against mehadrin bus lines; and spoke out harshly about bnei yeshivos for not carrying their burden regarding the defense of the nation. He was also responsible for the cancelation of supplemental income for avreichim and more. MK Moshe Gafne at the time accused Rubinstein of taking the bread and milk from frum families, labeling him “cruel and evil”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)