The sole government institution in Israel that had prepared for a catastrophic scenario leading up to October was the legal system. As the Knesset's winter session commenced, it became evident that the government was entering a decisive phase in its ongoing battle with the legal system. President of the Supreme Court, Esther Hayut, was due to retire, and for the first time since the establishment of the state, there were no plans to appoint a new president, especially as three explosive High Court cases were nearing their decisions.
Simultaneously, the "case" against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara had concluded, and there were expectations that the Minister of Justice would take action to impeach her. Ministers expressed their frustration with Miara, citing her tendency to oppose the government on numerous issues. However, on October 7, a real catastrophe struck the country that nobody had anticipated. In that critical moment, the legal counsel led by Miara stepped up to assist in the day-to-day and even immediate military decisions.
Netanyahu was charged with fraud, breach of trust, and bribery in this case. The charges against Netanyahu include receiving bribes and acting in a conflict of interest as Minister of Communications.
— Hend F Q (@LadyVelvet_HFQ) October 31, 2023
"Netanyahu will definitely be prosecuted in the Hague, Israel has committed all… pic.twitter.com/VrRTyaWn3S
Concurrently, preparations began to address legal catastrophes that could unfold in the international legal-political arena, often referred to as the "judicial war." Baharav-Miara promptly established a war agency and instructed its staff to focus exclusively on supporting the government, security forces, and the country's citizens. Since then, the agency has been operating around the clock.
Daily, there are continuous discussions in the Counselor's office within the government building in Tel Aviv. These discussions sometimes pause during sirens, but even in the adjacent bomb shelter, they persist. Senior assistants Dr. Hagai HaRosh and Dr. Yonatan Kramer, who oversee the office, manage events, and field requests for instructions or opinions. They also anticipate forthcoming requests that need immediate attention.
Baharav-Miara effectively manages all questions and challenges using organized "control tables." Following this networked approach, discussions with State Attorney Amit Isman ensue, encompassing criminal enforcement, including investigations and the filing of lawsuits related to incitement and terror. Both offices closely coordinate with the police, Shin Bet, and cyber security units. Thus far, numerous indictments have been filed, and the standard of evidence required for charges has been temporarily lowered during the war, despite concerns about potential infringements on freedom of expression.
I'm glad to see International Criminal Court prosecutor @KarimKhanQC visiting the Gaza border and warning Israel and Hamas that he has an active investigation that could lead to war crimes charges for serious violations of international humanitarian law. https://t.co/n43evSgLZ9
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) October 30, 2023
Surprisingly, during cabinet discussions, it was mentioned that Baharav-Miara's conduct has satisfied both the government and even Justice Minister Yariv Levin. Despite prior strained relations over judicial reforms, they have forged a closer bond since the outbreak of the war, with one government official even calling the two "besties".
