The no-confidence motion signals a larger struggle over power and independence within Israel's government amidst ongoing tensions.
Israeli Cabinet Launches No-Confidence Vote Against Attorney General
Israeli Cabinet Launches No-Confidence Vote Against Attorney General
In a controversial move, Prime Minister Netanyahu aims to remove Gali Baharav-Miara, intensifying judicial independence concerns.
The Israeli cabinet has initiated a no-confidence vote against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on Sunday as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's drive to remove officials he views as disloyal. Netanyahu’s supporters have accused Baharav-Miara of undermining government authority, which critics argue is indicative of a broader effort to weaken the judiciary and concentrate power in the executive branch.
This move follows a recent decision by Netanyahu's cabinet to terminate the chief of Israel's domestic intelligence agency, Ronen Bar, exacerbating civil unrest that echoes previous mass protests against government plans to overhaul the judiciary prior to the Hamas conflict.
In a letter to the cabinet, Baharav-Miara highlighted that the no-confidence motion doesn’t conform to the legal processes necessary for her removal, asserting that the current government's actions aim to eliminate essential checks on power during a critically sensitive period, particularly amidst the ongoing Gaza war.
Legal scholars note that the process to legally dismiss Baharav-Miara could be protracted due to the existing safeguards designed to uphold the independence of her office. Moreover, Bar has publicly contested his dismissal, labeling it illegal and criticizing the motivations behind Netanyahu's government.
While Netanyahu contends that he is bolstering democratic governance by reining in what he describes as bureaucratic overreach, opposition figures see his actions as a systematic effort to undermine judicial independence and silence dissent within the ranks of civil service.
This move follows a recent decision by Netanyahu's cabinet to terminate the chief of Israel's domestic intelligence agency, Ronen Bar, exacerbating civil unrest that echoes previous mass protests against government plans to overhaul the judiciary prior to the Hamas conflict.
In a letter to the cabinet, Baharav-Miara highlighted that the no-confidence motion doesn’t conform to the legal processes necessary for her removal, asserting that the current government's actions aim to eliminate essential checks on power during a critically sensitive period, particularly amidst the ongoing Gaza war.
Legal scholars note that the process to legally dismiss Baharav-Miara could be protracted due to the existing safeguards designed to uphold the independence of her office. Moreover, Bar has publicly contested his dismissal, labeling it illegal and criticizing the motivations behind Netanyahu's government.
While Netanyahu contends that he is bolstering democratic governance by reining in what he describes as bureaucratic overreach, opposition figures see his actions as a systematic effort to undermine judicial independence and silence dissent within the ranks of civil service.
