Latest news with #Baharav-Miara
Al Manar
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Zionist Government Approves Proposal to Expedite Dismissal of Attorney General
The Zionist cabinet approved on Sunday a proposal by so-called 'Justice Minister' Yariv Levin to revise the procedures for dismissing Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, setting the stage for a formal hearing that could lead to her removal. Following the approval, Levin called on government ministers to convene a hearing for Baharav-Miara as part of the dismissal process — a move that further escalates the government's ongoing confrontation with the judicial establishment. Levin first initiated efforts to oust Gali Baharav-Miara in March, circulating a proposal among cabinet members to withdraw confidence in her. He cited 'inappropriate conduct' and 'fundamental, long-standing disagreements' with the government as justification for her removal. Zionist Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara reportedly announced on Thursday that the army will issue over 50,000 mandatory conscription orders to ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) yeshiva students in July. This comes amid an escalating crisis over the conscription of religious students,… — The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) June 6, 2025 Former Legal Officials Warn of Grave Consequences In a rare and coordinated response, seven former senior legal officials — including former Zionist Supreme Court President Aharon Barak — signed a petition on March 20 warning that there is no legal basis for Baharav-Miara's dismissal. They argued that such a move would severely undermine the rule of law in the Zionist entity. The signatories, which also included former Zionist attorneys general and legal advisors such as Elyakim Rubinstein, Meni Mazuz, Yehuda Weinstein, and Avichai Mandelblit, stated that they had been closely monitoring Baharav-Miara's performance and found her conduct to be in line with legal norms. 'She is facing extraordinary and unprecedented challenges,' they wrote. 'In our view, she is fulfilling her responsibilities in accordance with the principles of law, acting as a legal advisor to the government and a defender of the rule of law.' They emphasized that Baharav-Miara has shown 'a commitment to the law, without fear or favor,' adding that her conduct merits respect, not removal. The dispute between the government and the attorney general, they noted, reflects the government's resistance to legal constraints rather than any failure on her part. 'The attorney general's role is to provide legal guidance to the government within the bounds of the law and to act as the chief guardian of legal norms on behalf of the public,' the petition continued. 'Her dismissal would not only harm the rule of law but also undermine the professional independence of the legal advisory system and weaken its ability to function.' Controversy Deepens Ahead of Hearing Prior to the vote, the Israeli Channel 12 reported that the cabinet had begun formal deliberations to change the legal framework for dismissing the attorney general. Baharav-Miara refused to attend the session, declaring the decision to alter her dismissal process unlawful. Back in late March, the cabinet had already voted unanimously — and in her absence — to withdraw confidence from Baharav-Miara. According to Israel Hayom, the government decided to move forward with her dismissal shortly thereafter. In a letter sent ahead of that session, Baharav-Miara rejected its legitimacy, stressing that the meeting had 'no legal standing.' Following the vote, the Zionist 'Justice Minister,' Levin, released a statement asserting that the government's actions were justified by her 'inappropriate behavior and deep-seated disagreements with the cabinet.' The clash marks a significant escalation in the Netanyahu-led government's broader effort to reshape the Zionist enemy's judiciary — a campaign that has drawn fierce domestic and international criticism for threatening judicial independence and democratic norms.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Government advances dismissal of A-G Gali Baharav-Miara
The move comes amid what Levin described as an "unprecedented crisis of trust" between the attorney-general and the government. The coalition is advancing the dismissal of Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara, Israeli media reported on Wednesday. According to Israeli media reports, the move comes amid what Levin described as an "unprecedented crisis of trust" between the attorney-general and the government. The draft proposes that a ministerial committee be authorized to hold a hearing and, if grounds for dismissal are found, to recommend termination of Baharav-Miara's tenure. A 75% majority in the government would then be sufficient to approve her dismissal. The attorney-general's office declined to comment on the proposed legislation. The draft argues that the legal consultation process, traditionally required with the attorney-general's selection committee, has become obsolete due to teh scale of distrust and functional paralysis it claims has gripped the government amid wartime. The existing committee - currently incomplete - was the body that originally selected Baharav-Miara and would typically be involved in dismissal deliberations. "Since the government unanimously expressed no confidence in the attorney-general, cooperation has deteriorated tot he point of dysfunction," the proposal reads. "Given the urgent need for unity during wartime, the government must be free to act decisively and remove officials who obstruct its functioning." The new process would replace the independent selection committee with a political ministerial body, a move critics say undermines legal oversight. Legal experts anticipate that the change, if implemented, will face legal challenges in the High Court of Justice due to questions over its constitutionality. Former Knesset Constitution Committee Chair MK Gilad Kariv strongly condemned the plan, calling it "a betrayal of the IDF and the public." "Levin weakened Israel before October 7, and she hasn't changed course," Kariv said. "This is not about governance - it's about caving to political pressure, especially from the ultra-Orthodox over the draft exemption issue." Opposition leader Yair Lapid also responded sharply: "Every time the coalition fails to pass a law exempting the Haredim from military service, they try to fire the attorney-general. It's all connected." Communications Minister Shlomo Karh, however, praised the move as a long-overdue reform. "The attorney-general was never elected and cannot continue to paralyze an elected government," Karhi said. "This is a necessary correction of the Shamgar Committee's excesses." National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir echoed Karhi's sentiment, calling the dismissal proceedings a step toward "defeating the deep state." "For two and a half years, the attorney-general has blocked every initiative I've tried to promote," Ben Gvir said. "Now the government can act as it was elected to do." The tension between Baharav-Miara and the government reached a new high in March, when the cabinet approved an 83-page no-confidence proposal prepared by Levin, outlining extensive grievances regarding her conduct. The move formally initiated the process for her potential dismissal. In response, Baharav-Miara sent a defiant letter to the cabinet, asserting the rule of law: 'We will not be deterred. The government is not above the law.' If passed, Levin's resolution would mark the first time in Israel's history that an attorney-general has been removed mid-term—a move likely to reshape the balance between the judiciary and the executive branch for years to come.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A-G working to 'bring about downfall' of Israeli government, says Sa'ar
Sa'ar claimed that a 'senior' official in the justice ministry had told him that Baharav-Miara had decided to 'go all the way' in her opposition to the government. Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara is working 'persistently and openly' to 'paralyze the government's executive capabilities and bring about its downfall,' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Tuesday. Sa'ar's comments came in response to an opinion issued by the attorney-general on Monday, according to which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is legally barred from appointing a new Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head due to a conflict of interests. Netanyahu said on Thursday that he had decided to appoint Maj.-Gen. David Zini to the position, despite a High Court ruling a day earlier that the 'Qatargate' investigation put him in a conflict of interest with regards to firing the outgoing Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar. Sa'ar's accusations were noteworthy, as he was responsible for Baharav-Miara's appointment to the position in his position as Justice Minister in the previous government. Sa'ar claimed that a 'senior' official in the Justice Ministry had told him that Baharav-Miara had decided to 'go all the way' in her opposition to the government. 'The reasoning presented by Baharav-Miara and [Deputy Attorney-General Gil] Limon is a supposed 'conflict of interests' involving the prime minister due to the Qatargate affair, despite the fact that the prime minister is not a suspect in the case,' Sa'ar wrote on X/Twitter. 'The very claim of a conflict of interests due to an investigation into people close to the prime minister is, in itself, far-reaching. In any case, any novice legal scholar knows that this alleged conflict of interest could have been 'neutralized' through much more proportionate measures instead of completely disqualifying the prime minister's involvement 'in any way' in the appointment of the head of the security agency he is legally mandated to oversee,' the foreign minister continued. 'For example, the attorney-general could have ruled that the new Shin Bet chief would not be involved in the investigation at all. 'The proposal to transfer the appointment authority to another minister makes a mockery of the explicit provisions of the law, which Baharav-Miara and Limon have ignored,' Sa'ar continued. In response to the A-G's opinion that it was 'doubtful' whether Zini could be appointed to the position, Sa'ar wrote, 'What remains of the legal provisions and the prime minister's responsibility in a key security domain when fundamental powers are stripped from him so casually by those who are supposed to provide him with legal counsel?" 'The Knesset was elected by the people. The government serves by virtue of the Knesset's confidence. The continued weakening of these institutions turns Israel into a caricature of a democratic regime. An attorney-general who persistently and openly works to paralyze the government's executive capabilities and bring about its downfall does not function as a legal adviser. By now, she is far more deserving of another distinguished title for her actual role: Leader of the Opposition.' The foreign minister's comments came alongside those of other ministers, some of whom, including Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Development of the Negev and Galilee Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, called on Netanyahu to ignore the High Court if it struck down Zini's appointment.
Arab News
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Hostage families, anti-government protesters rally in Tel Aviv
TEL AVIV: Israeli protesters took to the streets for a sixth day on Sunday amid reports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Cabinet passed a vote of no confidence in the attorney general, in its latest move against officials deemed hostile to the government. However, any dismissal could be months away. Tens of thousands of Israelis have joined demonstrations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv over the past week, as fears for Israeli hostages after a resumption of the bombing campaign in Gaza and anger at moves to sack the head of the domestic intelligence agency have brought different protest groups together. The removal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, approved by Cabinet last week, was set to be followed by a no-confidence motion against attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara, who has frequently clashed with the current government. Israeli media reported last week that the Cabinet would hold a no-confidence motion against Baharav-Miara, a former district attorney appointed under previous Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. The moves against the two officials have drawn accusations from protesters and the opposition that Netanyahu's right-wing government is undermining key state institutions. At the same time, families and supporters of the 59 hostages still held in Gaza have vented their anger at what many have seen as the government's abandonment of their loved ones. 'We are here to make it clear that Israel is a democracy and will remain a democracy,' said 46-year-old Uri Ash, who was taking part in a protest in Tel Aviv. 'We will overtake this government because it is ruining Israel,' he said. Although the protest groups have different priorities, they have built on mass demonstrations before the Gaza war that were unleashed by the right-wing government's moves to curb the power of the Supreme Court. Netanyahu said that, at the time, the overhaul was needed to rein in judicial overreach that was intruding on the authority of parliament, but protesters said it was an attempt to weaken one of the pillars of Israeli democracy. Earlier this month, Justice Minister Yariv Levin initiated moves to dismiss Baharav-Miara, accusing her of politicizing her office and obstructing the government. In practice, any step to remove the attorney general will likely face administrative hurdles and an appeals process that could delay it for months. But the reports, which the prime minister's office declined to confirm, have added fuel to the protests, echoing the same accusations made over Bar's dismissal. Cabinet approved Bar's dismissal despite objections from Baharav-Miara, but a temporary injunction from the Supreme Court has held up the move. Late on Saturday, Netanyahu issued a video statement defending the dismissal of Bar and rejecting accusations that the sacking was aimed at thwarting a Shin Bet investigation into allegations of financial ties between Qatar and aides in the prime minister's office. Instead, he said, the Shin Bet probe into the affair was launched as a means of delaying Bar's expected resignation over intelligence failures that allowed the devastating attack on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, to take place.
Al Arabiya
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Israel cabinet votes no confidence in attorney general
Israel's cabinet passed a vote of no confidence on Sunday in the attorney general, the justice minister said, moving against a vocal critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and deepening a political rift in the country. The vote against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is the first step in a process to dismiss her, and came two days after the government fired the head of the country's internal security agency. Israel's Supreme Court subsequently froze the firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and Baharav-Miara has cautioned the prime minister against trying to replace him. The unprecedented moves to dismiss the Shin Bet chief and now the attorney general have widened divisions in the country as Israel resumes its military operations in the Gaza Strip. A reignited protest movement has seen demonstrators accuse the prime minister of threatening democracy. Netanyahu's office, citing a cabinet meeting agenda, had said the government would hold the vote on Baharav-Miara 'due to her inappropriate behavior and due to significant and prolonged differences between the government and the government's legal advisor.' On Friday, Israel's top court froze the government's bid to fire Bar, shortly after the filing of five separate appeals, including from opposition leader Yair Lapid's center-right Yesh Atid party. A detailed hearing on the appeals will take place on April 8, presided over by three judges including Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit, the spokeswoman for the Israeli courts told AFP. Yesh Atid has denounced the decision to fire Bar as being 'based on flagrant conflict of interest.' Netanyahu has cited an 'ongoing lack of trust' in Bar, who is expected to testify on April 8. The prime minister has insisted it is up to the government who will head Shin Bet. Security failure The opposition appeal highlighted what critics see as the two main reasons Netanyahu moved against Bar. The first was his criticism of the government over the security failure that allowed Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, the deadliest day in the country's history. The second was what the opposition appeal said is a Shin Bet investigation of Netanyahu's close associates on suspicion of receiving money linked to Qatar. Netanyahu's office has dismissed such accusations as 'fake news.' Following the Supreme Court's initial ruling, Baharav-Miara said Netanyahu cannot name a new internal security chief. 'According to the decision of the Supreme Court, it is prohibited to take any action that harms the position of the head of the Shin Bet, Ronen Bar,' she said. 'It is prohibited to appoint a new head of Shin Bet, and interviews for the position should not be held.' Ahead of the vote on Baharav-Miara, hundreds of protesters demonstrated outside parliament and the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, leading to scuffles with police. Justice Minister Yariv Levin has criticized Baharav-Miara, a defender of judicial independence, for questioning the legality of certain governmental decisions. The attorney general should not 'take advantage of her position for political aims that completely paralyze the work of the government,' he said.
