Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved forward with a no-confidence vote against the country’s attorney general, Gali Baharav-Miara, amid accusations of undermining him and purging officials deemed disloyal. The move is part of a broader effort by Netanyahu to curb the independence of the judiciary and strengthen executive power.
Netanyahu and his allies have accused Attorney General Baharav-Miara of acting against them, leading to protests reminiscent of previous street demonstrations over judicial overhaul plans in 2023. The no-confidence vote, approved by the cabinet on Sunday, sets off a lengthy process that will require approval from a special appointments committee before Baharav-Miara can be officially removed.
Critics argue that Netanyahu’s actions are part of a pattern to undermine checks on his power and remove those who are deemed disloyal. The move has sparked concerns among legal experts, who say it could lead to the suspension or cancellation of Attorney General Baharav-Miara’s ongoing corruption trial against Netanyahu.
The Supreme Court has frozen the dismissal of intelligence chief Ronen Bar, who accused Netanyahu of acting illegally and motivated by personal considerations. Netanyahu maintains that his efforts are aimed at strengthening Israeli democracy, but opponents see them as an attempt to consolidate power. The dispute highlights the delicate balance between executive power and judicial oversight in Israel’s government.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/world/middleeast/israel-attorney-general.html