PM Appoints Sheetrit Justice Minister
Commentary;
The third posuk of our Parsha reads and emphasizes; “Tzedek, Tzedek tierdof…” Righteousness, righteousness (also rendered Justice, Justice) you shall pursue that you may live and inherit the land which the Lord, your G’d gives you.” (Sefer Devarim, Perek 16, posuk 20)
This posuk follows immediately after the opening of our Parsha; “Judges and officers shall you appoint in all of your cities — which Hashem …gives you — for your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgement. You shall not pervert judgement, you shall not respect persons, neither take a bribe, for a bribe binds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.” (Sefer Devarim, Perek 16, p’sukim 18-19)
Does Meir Sheetrit live up to the parsha’s mandate? Just as with Haim Ramon and Tzippy Livni before them, the answer is a resounding NO! MB
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Full Text;
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appointed Housing and Construction Minister Meir Sheetrit as interim justice minister on Wednesday morning.
Sheetrit will replace Haim Ramon for a three-month period while Ramon fights charges of sexual harassment. Olmert has said he hoped Ramon would be exonerated by then.
Sheetrit said he accepted the role in order to help preserve stability in the country.
“I place great importance on helping the prime minister preserve governmental stability – especially during these times – and therefore I was recruited to help where I was needed.”
The prime minister also said he appointed Sheetrit because he has served as justice minister in the past and was successful in the position.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, also a former justice minister, was also considered for the position. The appointment of Sheetrit, however, allowed Olmert to neutralize a political opponent.
Sheetrit announced in June that he intended to run against Olmert for the leadership of Kadima.