State Comptroller and Ombudsman of Israel (1988-1998)
Miriam Ben-Porat (1918-2012) was an Israeli jurist, a supreme court judge and the first woman
who served as the State Comptroller and Ombudswoman of the State of Israel.
Family Background
Miriam Ben-Porat was born on January 25 th , 1918, in Vitebsk (Soveit Russia, currently Belarus)
and grew up in Kaunas, Lithuania. In 1936, she immigrated to Israel on her own following the
death of her parents, Haya and Eliezer Shinezon, and one of her six siblings, who perished in
the holocaust. Ben-Porat was married to Joseph and had a daughter.
Education
In 1945, she completed her Law studies at the Jerusalem Law Classes. She was certified as a
lawyer following an internship at Yitzhak Olshan Law Firm.
Miriam Ben Porat's swearing-in ceremony for her second term as State Comptroller in 1993. Photo: Avi Ohayon, Government Press Office
Professional Background
Ben-Porat started her career at the Ministry of Justice as a prosecutor in Tel-Aviv District. She
was promoted to deputy state attorney in Tel-Aviv District and as part of this role served, inter
alia, as a prosecutor in the trial against the murderers of Israel Kastner.
In 1958, she was appointed as a judge in Jerusalem District Court, and in 1975 was appointed
as the president of this court. In November 1976, she was appointed as an acting Judge in the
Supreme Court and in March 1977, was appointed as a permanent judge and became the first
woman to serve at the Supreme Court. In 1983-1988, she served as deputy president of the
Supreme Court.
On July 4 th , 1988, Ben-Porat was appointed as the State Comptroller and Omudswoman, a role
she fulfilled for 10 years - two terms in office. During her term in office, Ben Porat focused on
advancing good governance in governing bodies.
Additional Roles
In 1964-1978, Ben-Porat taught at the Hebrew University and became Associate Professor.
Her articles on various subjects were published in Journals such as, "Hapraklit", "Mishpatim", "Iyunei Mishpat" and "The Israel Law Review". In 2005, her book "Basic Law: State Comptroller" was published and in 2010 she published her autobiography, "Through the Robe".
In 1988, on the eve of Independence Day, Ben-Porat lit a torch at the national ceremony on
Mount. Herzl, and three years later, in 1991, she was granted the Israel Prize for her special
contribution to the State of Israel and the Israeli Society. In 2004, Ben-Porat was granted the
title of "Yakir Yerushalayim".
Miriam Ben-Porat passed away on July 26th, 2012.
