Israel’s Supreme Court Blocks Netanyahu’s Move to Fire Attorney General/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government voted to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who is prosecuting him for corruption. The Supreme Court immediately blocked the unprecedented move. Critics accuse Netanyahu of trying to undermine the rule of law for personal gain.
Netanyahu vs. Attorney General Quick Looks
- Israeli cabinet votes to fire AG Gali Baharav-Miara
- Supreme Court blocks move, citing procedural violations
- AG is leading Netanyahu’s corruption prosecution
- Baharav-Miara also probing Netanyahu aides’ Qatar ties
- Ministers vow to boycott AG and ignore her opinions
- Netanyahu did not vote, but critics say he benefits
- Decision seen as threat to judicial independence
- Political tensions rise amid ongoing Gaza conflict
- Trial has lasted 4 years, marred by legal delays
- Supreme Court decision on firing still pending
Deep Look: Netanyahu’s Government Moves to Fire Prosecuting Attorney General, Prompting Legal Showdown
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government voted unanimously Monday to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, the top legal official currently prosecuting Netanyahu in a long-running corruption trial. The move marked a historic first in Israeli politics, triggering an immediate backlash — and a swift injunction from the Supreme Court halting the dismissal.
The dramatic development has been widely condemned by critics and legal experts, who say Netanyahu’s government is attempting to weaponize executive power to undermine the independence of the judiciary.
Supreme Court Blocks Firing, For Now
The Israeli Supreme Court acted quickly, issuing a legal injunction that freezes Baharav-Miara’s removal. The court ruled that she would retain all of her legal powers and blocked the appointment of a replacement pending further judicial review.
The firing cannot take effect until the court rules on multiple immediate appeals challenging the legality of the cabinet decision.
Just days earlier, the court had warned Netanyahu’s cabinet that the proposed firing process was “inappropriate” and hinted it would intervene if the vote proceeded — which it now has.
Attorney General’s Role in Netanyahu’s Corruption Case
Attorney General Baharav-Miara has been overseeing three criminal cases against Netanyahu, who faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The cases accuse him of:
- Accepting over $200,000 in gifts from wealthy benefactors
- Providing regulatory benefits worth hundreds of millions to a telecom executive in exchange for favorable media coverage
- Attempting to use his position to influence legal outcomes
Netanyahu has denied all allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated. The trial, now in its fourth year, has been delayed repeatedly, with critics accusing Netanyahu of using stall tactics and his political power to interfere with the judicial process.
More Than Just a Legal Dispute
In addition to prosecuting Netanyahu, Baharav-Miara is also leading investigations into his advisers’ alleged ties with Qatar, adding to tensions between her office and the ruling government.
In a pre-vote letter to cabinet ministers, Baharav-Miara warned that removing her would set a dangerous precedent, allowing future governments to dismiss attorney generals for political convenience. She cautioned that her ouster could directly influence Netanyahu’s trial and other ongoing criminal investigations.
Cabinet’s Political Message: Boycott the AG
Several ministers announced plans to boycott Baharav-Miara, saying she will no longer be invited to cabinet meetings or have her legal opinions respected. These moves, analysts warn, could further erode institutional norms and ignite a full-blown constitutional crisis—similar to the one that paralyzed Israeli politics prior to the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Netanyahu Did Not Vote—But Benefits Politically
While Netanyahu abstained from the vote, many see the move as a calculated effort to delegitimize the judiciary and rally his political base. The decision is viewed as part of a broader campaign against Israel’s legal system, which has included controversial judicial reforms and attacks on other legal institutions.
Government’s Defense and Opposition Response
Justice Minister Yariv Levin claimed the dismissal was unrelated to Netanyahu’s legal troubles, instead blaming what he described as a “red line” in the government’s strained relationship with the attorney general. Critics were quick to label the move a blatant power grab.
“The attorney general must act independently — not as a puppet of the government,” said opposition leader Yair Lapid, warning that Israel’s democracy is at stake.
What Comes Next?
All eyes now turn to the Israeli Supreme Court, which must decide whether the government’s attempt to fire the AG is constitutional. Legal experts believe the court is likely to overturn the decision, but political damage may already be done.
The situation underscores ongoing tensions between Netanyahu’s nationalist government and Israel’s judiciary, a friction point that continues to shape the country’s domestic and international image.
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