Israeli Court Blocks Government Move to Remove Attorney General

Israel’s Supreme Court on Sunday ruled against the Israeli government’s attempt to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, delivering a setback to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition and reinforcing the judiciary’s authority over executive decisions.

The court held that the government did not follow legally required procedures, making the dismissal of the attorney general invalid and allowing Baharav-Miara to remain in office.

The dispute stems from months of tension between the attorney general and the current government, which has repeatedly clashed with her over legal opinions on cabinet decisions, appointments, and proposed legislation.

• Israeli Supreme Court blocks government bid to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara
• Court ruling delivers setback to Netanyahu coalition and reinforces judicial authority
• Israel’s top court says dismissal process violated legal safeguards and due procedure

Earlier this year, cabinet ministers held a no-confidence vote against Baharav-Miara, accusing her of obstructing government policy and exceeding her advisory role. Following the vote, the coalition sought to change the established process for removing Israel’s attorney general, bypassing existing safeguards.

In its ruling, the Israeli Supreme Court said the government could not unilaterally alter dismissal procedures without proper legal grounding or consultation with the mandated professional committee. The judges noted that the attorney general’s independence is central to Israel’s legal system and that any move to remove her must meet strict procedural and substantive standards. Because those requirements were not met, the court declared the government’s actions unlawful.

Baharav-Miara, appointed in 2022, has frequently opposed initiatives linked to the government’s judicial overhaul agenda and other controversial measures. Her stance has made her a central figure in the broader debate over the balance of power between Israel’s judiciary and executive. The ruling is expected to sharpen that debate as the government continues to pursue changes to legal and institutional frameworks.

Opposition leaders welcomed the judgment, calling it a defense of the rule of law in Israel and institutional independence. Some ministers, however, criticized the court’s intervention, arguing that elected officials should have greater authority over senior legal appointments.

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The ruling leaves Gali Baharav-Miara in her post and signals that any future attempt to remove Israel’s attorney general will face high legal hurdles, reinforcing the Supreme Court’s oversight of disputes between the executive and legal institutions.