In his new book, The Purse and the Sword – The Trials of Israel's Legal Revolution (Oxford University Press), ALI member Daniel Friedmann of Tel Aviv University Faculty of Law presents a critical analysis of the Israeli legal system in the context of Israeli politics, history and the forces that shape Israel society. 
The book examines the extensive powers that Israel's Supreme Court arrogated to itself since the 1980s and traces the history of the transformation of the Israeli legal system and the shifts in the balance of power between the branches of government. Centrally, this shift, has put unprecedented power in the hands of both the Court and Israel’s attorney general and state prosecution at the expense of Israel’s cabinet, constituting its executive branch, and the Knesset, its parliament.
The expansion of judicial power followed the weakening of the political leadership in the wake of the Yom Kippur war of 1973, and the election results in the following years. These developments are detailed in the context of major issues faced by the modern Israel, including the war against terror, the conflict with the Palestinians, the Arab minority, settlements in the West Bank, state and religion, immigration, military service, censorship and freedom of expression, appointments to the government and to public office, and government policies.
An ALI member since 2004, Professor Friedmann was appointed Minister of Justice by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in 2007 and concluded his service in 2009. He serves on the Members Consultative Group for the Restatement of the Law Third, Torts: Liability for Economic Harm project, and served as an Adviser for the now-completed Restatement of the Law (Third) of Restitution and Unjust Enrichment.