Legal Scholar Slams Attorney General Over Rabbi Yosef Memorial Event Decision

Constitutional law lecturer Dr. Shaul Sharf sharply criticized Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's attempt to postpone a memorial event for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, accusing her of a double standard and inadvertently fueling political support for the Shas party. Sharf argued on Channel 14's "Morning Edition" that the Attorney General's demand to delay the event, initially requested by Shas to be moved earlier, was politically motivated, especially given that the state memorial for assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was moved closer to the election date without similar intervention.

Sharf contended that Baharav-Miara's actions provided Shas with "political fuel and immense media leverage," effectively trapping herself. He drew a parallel to the Rabin memorial, which is legally set for a date closer to the upcoming elections, suggesting that the Attorney General's inaction in that case highlights a clear double standard. He also questioned her opposition to the immediate appointment of the head of the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash), labeling her "election eve" concerns as hypocritical, recalling her approval of a new army chief of staff and a gas deal by a transitional government in a previous election period.

Further criticizing the judiciary, Sharf addressed remarks made by Supreme Court Justice Yitzhak Amit to Shin Bet head David Zinny regarding attempts to thwart Zinny's appointment. Sharf likened the judge's comments to a mafia-like threat, expressing dismay that the Supreme Court would allegedly intimidate the Shin Bet head for seeking to understand who interfered with his appointment.

Sharf concluded by stating that the perceived decline in the justice system is not new but rather a revelation of long-standing issues now exposed by media coverage, particularly from Channel 14. He described the current situation as a painful process of "mask removal," essential for eventual healing.