The Israeli cabinet on Tuesday unanimously approved Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's nomination of Professor Daniel Friedman as the new justice minister.

Friedman, 71, winner of the 1991 Israel Prize for achievements in the field of law and former dean at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Law, was chosen by Olmert to replace Haim Ramon after his conviction for indecent behavior of forcibly kissing a female soldier.

After Tuesday's voting, Friedman's appointment will be presented to the Knesset (parliament) plenum for approval on Wednesday.

On Jan. 31, the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court delivered a verdict, judging Ramon guilty for having kissed a young female soldier against her will.

Ramon, 56, resigned in August 2006 following charges of committing sexual harassment.

After Ramon's resignation, Olmert appointed Housing and Construction Minister Meir Sheetrit as interim justice minister.

In November, 2006, Olmert appointed Tzipi Livni as justice minister in addition to her current position as foreign minister. Livni agreed to take the position until the verdict of Ramon's case is given.

Source: Xinhua