Background
Israel’s cabinet met on Monday and approved a proposal to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who has been leading the corruption case against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The vote went through with all 22 ministers present in favor. Netanyahu chose not to take part to avoid a conflict of interest.
This marks the first attempt in Israel’s 78-year history to oust an attorney general. The move reflects deep tension between the government and the legal adviser who brought charges against the prime minister.
Court Blocks Dismissal
Soon after the cabinet vote, Israel’s High Court of Justice stepped in. The court issued an injunction that bars any change to Baharav-Miara’s job until it reviews the legality of the decision. Judges had warned earlier that such a step would need time to examine whether the dismissal process meets legal standards.
Opposition leaders and watchdog groups had already filed petitions to stop the move. They argue that the effort to remove her aims to weaken the rule of law.
Reactions from Opposition and Watchdogs
Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party led the charge against the cabinet action. He claimed the government tried to tilt the scales in Netanyahu’s favor by attacking the attorney general. At the same time, the Movement for Quality Government in Israel filed an emergency appeal.
More than 15,000 citizens added their names to the challenge. They fear the removal would send a message that the government can override legal checks when it faces trouble.
Government’s Defense
Justice Minister Yariv Levin defended the decision. He said the cabinet reached a limit in its work with Baharav-Miara. He accused her of slowing down policies and refusing to back key plans for national security and budget matters.
Levin also said the attorney general must work with the government rather than oppose it. Several cabinet members then announced they would no longer include her in meetings or heed her legal advice.
Ongoing Legal Battle
The Supreme Court has up to 30 days to rule on the injunction. Legal experts expect the court to side with Baharav-Miara and restore her full authority. Until then, she will continue her work on three corruption cases against Netanyahu.
Those cases involve charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. Prosecutors say Netanyahu accepted gifts worth over $200,000 and made deals to win favorable media coverage.
Personal Analysis
And that is why this episode matters. It shows how far the government will go to protect one of its own. Moreover, it tests the strength of Israel’s legal system in the face of political pressure. The court’s quick action underlines its role as a guard against moves that could break the balance between branches of power. Finally, this drama may change how Israelis view the independence of their justice system in the coming years.
Sources: cnn.com
