Kagan’s Remarks on Justice Barak

David Streeter — June 29, 2010 – 3:05 pm | Domestic Policy | Israel Comments (0) Add a comment

During her confirmation hearings this afternoon, Solicitor General Elena Kagan responded to a question from Senator Grassley (R-IA) about Israeli Justice Aharon Barak.

Kagan responded to the question by highlighting her Jewish heritage and her support for Israel saying, “And that’s why I admire Justice Barak. Not for his particular judicial philosophy, not for any of his particular decisions. As you know, I don’t think it’s a secret I am Jewish. The state of Israel has meant a lot to me and my family.”

Watch the video here

The transcript of the exchange follows:

SENATOR GRASSLEY: Will you look to Judge Barak’s judicial method as a model for deciding cases?

SOLICITOR GENERAL KAGAN: I will not, Senator Grassley. I do admire Justice Barak, who was, of course - was for many years the chief justice of the state of Israel. I do admire him. He is very often called the John Marshall of the state of Israel because he was central in creating an independent judiciary for Israel and in ensuring that Israel - a young nation, a nation threatened from its very beginning in existential ways and a nation without a written constitution - he was central in ensuring that Israel, with all those kinds of liabilities would become a very strong rule of law nation. And that’s why I admire Justice Barak. Not for his particular judicial philosophy, not for any of his particular decisions. As you know, I don’t think it’s a secret I am Jewish. The state of Israel has meant a lot to me and my family. And - and I admire Justice Barak for what he’s done for the state of Israel and ensuring an independent judiciary.

 

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