Israeli Cabinet Unanimously Votes to Fire Attorney General Amid Judiciary Standoff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government faces backlash for dismissing the attorney general, escalating concerns over judicial independence.
The Israeli Cabinet on Monday voted unanimously to fire the attorney general, heightening tensions in a protracted conflict between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the judiciary.
Critics argue that this move poses a threat to Israel's democratic institutions.
The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the dismissal while it examines its constitutionality.Netanyahu accuses Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of overstepping her authority, particularly in blocking decisions by the government such as attempting to fire the head of Israel's domestic security agency.
Baharav-Miara justifies these actions by citing potential conflicts of interest due to ongoing criminal investigations involving Netanyahu and former aides.Detractors contend that Netanyahu is eroding judicial independence and seeking to strengthen his coalition government, which is seen as the most nationalist and religious in Israel's history.
In response, Netanyahu denies these allegations, claiming he is unfairly targeted by hostile judicial officials and media.The 2023 proposed judiciary overhaul sparked widespread protests and many believe it weakened national defenses ahead of Hamas' October 7 attack that initiated the Gaza conflict.The Movement for Quality Government in Israel has filed an emergency petition to the Supreme Court following Monday's vote.
Over 15,000 citizens have joined this petition, deeming the dismissal 'unprecedented.' The group accuses the government of altering dismissal procedures after failing to remove Baharav-Miara legally under existing rules and cites a conflict of interest related to Netanyahu's ongoing trial.This decision, according to critics, transforms the role of the attorney general into a political appointment.
Legal battles are expected until this decision is deemed invalid.
Critics argue that this move poses a threat to Israel's democratic institutions.
The Supreme Court has temporarily halted the dismissal while it examines its constitutionality.Netanyahu accuses Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara of overstepping her authority, particularly in blocking decisions by the government such as attempting to fire the head of Israel's domestic security agency.
Baharav-Miara justifies these actions by citing potential conflicts of interest due to ongoing criminal investigations involving Netanyahu and former aides.Detractors contend that Netanyahu is eroding judicial independence and seeking to strengthen his coalition government, which is seen as the most nationalist and religious in Israel's history.
In response, Netanyahu denies these allegations, claiming he is unfairly targeted by hostile judicial officials and media.The 2023 proposed judiciary overhaul sparked widespread protests and many believe it weakened national defenses ahead of Hamas' October 7 attack that initiated the Gaza conflict.The Movement for Quality Government in Israel has filed an emergency petition to the Supreme Court following Monday's vote.
Over 15,000 citizens have joined this petition, deeming the dismissal 'unprecedented.' The group accuses the government of altering dismissal procedures after failing to remove Baharav-Miara legally under existing rules and cites a conflict of interest related to Netanyahu's ongoing trial.This decision, according to critics, transforms the role of the attorney general into a political appointment.
Legal battles are expected until this decision is deemed invalid.
