Jerusalem, May 24, 2004 …On the day of their swearing in, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed Edna Arbel, Salim Joubran, Esther Hayyut and Eli Rubinstein as the newest members of Israel's Supreme Court.  The League said the current makeup of the court -- with Joubran, a Maronite Catholic, as the first Arab appointee in Israel's history -- "truly reflects the democratic, diverse and pluralistic nature of Israel."

ADL's Israel Office issued the following statement:

We extend our sincere congratulations to Justices Arbel, Joubran, Hayyut and Rubinstein on their appointments to Israel's Supreme Court. It is our hope and belief that the new justices will continue to uphold the vital role of the Supreme Court in defending the fundamental values of Israeli society, protecting democracy and presiding over the rule of law and individual rights.

The makeup of the new justices -- two women, an Israeli Arab and an Orthodox Jew -- truly reflects the democratic, diverse and pluralistic nature of Israel.  We are especially pleased to note the appointment of Salim Joubran, Israel's first Christian Supreme Court Justice.