A woman was appointed for the first time Tuesday to the position of qadi, (Muslim religious judges dealing with family law) by The Committee for the Appointment of qadis.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Attorney Han Khatib, who is the first female to ever be appointed to the position, holds a master's degree in law, specializing in marital law and Sharia law, and is also qualified as a mediator.

Attorney Han Khatib

Khatib is a resident of the northern Arab city of Tamra and is married with four children.

Speaking after the appointment, Committee Chairwoman and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) expressed her satisfaction with the latest addition.

“We made justice in an institution whose job it is to make justice and for the first time, we chose a woman for the position of qadi (magistrate or judge of the Shariʿa court), which in my opinion should have happened long ago,” Shaked said.

“This is great news for Arab women and Arab society in general. I am excited about this choice and hope that this is only the first one before the appointment of more women to the position.”

Ayelet Shaked in the committee

Moreover, the committee appointed a Bedouin candidate, Salem Sana from Lakiya, to fill the post of qadi in the south of the country.

The director of the Sharia courts, Iyad Zahalka, was also appointed to the same position in the Court of Appeals.

In addition to Chairwoman Shaked, members of the committee include Religious Affairs Minister David Azoulay, Sharia Court President Abd al-Hakim Samara, Sharia court director Iyad Zahalka, MK Esawi Frej and Yoav Ben-Zur and Bar Association deputies Osama Saadi and Rasmi Zahalka.

"We chose four talented and excellent cadets today, and I am sure they will do their job in the best possible way," Shaked added.