The Israeli Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, is reportedly considering allowing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to participate in the judicial reform legislation, but only if the scope of the legislation is significantly reduced. According to a report from Israel's "Channel 12," the Attorney General believes that in such a scenario, there would be no conflict of interest for the Prime Minister in dealing with the reform.
Furthermore, the Attorney General acknowledges that there is no concrete sanction that can be applied in case of a violation of the conflict of interest arrangement. Officials within the coalition view this stance as problematic, not only in its willingness to discuss potential legal protections for Netanyahu but also in its support for invalidating a basic law.
Israel's AG says declaring Netanyahu unfit for office not an option at this stage Haaretz https://t.co/AaFIRAsCff pic.twitter.com/RDLswdEHP3
ā Jewish Community (@JComm_NewsFeeds) August 1, 2023
Earlier, it was reported that Miara expressed opposition to Netanyahu's immediate removal. Nevertheless, during a recent internal discussion, she suggested revisiting the existing Israeli law that permits forcefully removing a Prime Minister from office only if they are medically unfit for the position. According to Miara, this law was hastily enacted to allow Netanyahu to bypass the requirements of the conflict of interest settlement, and she fears it could lead to absurd situations.
The Attorney General's statements follow her previous remarks earlier in the year when she asserted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should have no involvement in the judicial legislation being promoted by his coalition. Miara's message to Netanyahu was clear, stating that his public announcement to violate the Supreme Court's ruling and disregard the opinion of the Legal Adviser to the Government was illegal and tainted by a conflict of interest.
Miara emphasized that Netanyahu's involvement in initiatives related to changes in the judicial system, including the composition of the committee for the appointment of judges, would constitute actions in conflict of interest. The Supreme Court's ruling stated that, as a Prime Minister facing criminal charges, Netanyahu must refrain from actions that could raise reasonable concerns about a conflict of interest between his personal interests in the criminal proceedings and his role as Prime Minister. The Attorney General reminded him to abide by the opinion given by the Attorney General to prevent conflicts of interest.
Forced removal on the horizon? AG asks Supreme Court to void law protecting Netanyahu | World Israel News https://t.co/cXmtQ1KxvH
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The situation remains contentious as the Attorney General grapples with the issue of allowing the Prime Minister's involvement in the judicial reform while navigating potential conflicts of interest and the need to uphold the rule of law. The developments in this matter will likely continue to be closely monitored and debated within the Israeli political landscape.
