Erwin Shimron who, as head of a special crime commission, reported several months ago the existence of organized crime in Israel, died yesterday of a heart attack during a visit to friends at their home here. He was 58.
Born in Austria, he settled in Mandatory Palestine and joined the Mandatory police force in which he served until Israel become independent five years later. He was named Assistant Attorney General of the new State and soon afterwards State Attorney. He held that post until 1953 when he resigned to enter private law practice.
He remained active in public service, however, serving in various public agencies and representing Israel in income tax cases. He also served as honorary consul for Austria. Last year, Shimron was appointed director of a special top-level commission of experts to examine increasing crime in Israel. The commission finding of organized crime had been rejected by Israeli police chiefs.
The commission proposed a series of recommendations to deal with the problem and while the police department followed them, Shimron had indicated dissatisfaction with what he considered the reluctant attitude of the Finance and Justice Ministries about the recommendations. He urged the media to exert pressure to assure that the recommendations would be implemented.
Leading attorneys and judges expressed sorrow at his death, declaring that “a giant” of the legal profession had died. Funeral services were held in Jerusalem.
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