Retired Supreme Court Justice Slams Government's 'Illegal' Actions
Former Israeli Supreme Court Justice and Attorney General, Meni Mazuz, has sharply criticized the current Israeli government, accusing it of deliberately undertaking "improper and illegal" actions as part of a broader "legal coup" disguised as judicial reform. Speaking at a book launch event on Monday, Mazuz stated that the government's conduct forced Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to oppose it, emphasizing that no attorney general wishes to clash with the government but is compelled to do so when it is their duty.
Mazuz asserted that no previous Israeli government had intentionally pursued actions known to be improper and illegal. He described the current situation as one where Israeli democracy is "disabled," lacking essential checks and balances, with the Knesset acting as a subordinate to the government. He argued that this lack of oversight empowers the government to control all aspects of life and that the judicial system is the sole remaining barrier against potentially dictatorial moves.
He also addressed the Supreme Court's decisions, acknowledging that some judges may have erred, possibly due to the current conservative composition of the court. Mazuz dismissed proposals to split the Attorney General's role as attempts to weaken the office rather than improve its function. He recalled convincing then-Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to abandon a similar initiative in the past, arguing it would create more problems and hinder government operations.
Looking ahead, Mazuz expressed a high probability of significant change after the next elections, predicting that current initiatives would be halted, some "coup laws" would be repealed, and efforts would be made to strengthen the constitution. Regarding the Supreme Court's decision allowing Netanyahu to form a government despite his indictment, Mazuz stated that all 11 justices unanimously believed there was no legal alternative, but he placed responsibility on the Knesset and political culture for not preventing such a situation in other democratic nations.
