Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked on Monday celebrated the achievement of appointing seven new Qadis—religious Muslim judges. She stated her interest in appointing qualified women Qadis as members of Israeli Sharia courts in the future.
The committee to appoint Qadis, headed by Justice Minsiter Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) convened on Monday to select a record number of new Qadis for the state funded Sharia law courts. This is the first time since 2009 that new Qadis are being appointed by the committee, and the first time since 1994 that the Qadi regional system has been increased by three additional slots.
There is a central Sharia Court of Appeals in Israel, located in Jerusalem, and eight regional courts in Jerusalem, Haifa, Jaffa, Nazareth, Acre, Tayibe, Baqa al-Gharbiyye, and Be’er Sheva.
Justice Minister Shaked said in a statement, “I am proud of the fact that we made history today at the committee to appoint Qadis, and selected a record number of new Qadis who will complete the ranks and support significantly the court system serving a population of more than 1.2 million. As a result of today’s appointment, our citizens will receive a better, more respectful and efficient service. I also asked the sub committee to recommend women candidates for the posts of Qadis.”