All Six Deputy Legal Advisers Unite Against Israeli Bill Restricting Senior Officials' Investigations

An unusually tense session took place on Monday at the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, where all six deputy legal advisers to the Attorney General appeared together to strongly oppose a proposed bill. The legislation, which passed its first reading earlier this month, seeks to fundamentally change the process for investigating senior officials in Israel, including members of Knesset, judges, and rabbis. Under the proposal, initiating a criminal investigation against these figures would require approval from a district court, and indictments would need authorization from a special three-member committee headed by a retired Supreme or district court judge.

Deputy Attorney General for International Law, Gilad Noam, highlighted the strategic risks of the bill, warning that it could undermine Israel's judicial independence and damage its international legitimacy, especially during wartime scrutiny. Noam emphasized that "the independence of the judicial system is a paramount security asset," explaining that perceptions of political influence over the Attorney General or prosecution could weaken Israel's defense against international legal challenges, such as those at The Hague.

The bill's two-tier mechanism mandates judicial approval to open investigations and a special committee's consent for indictments. This committee would include a retired senior judge as chair, a lawyer appointed by the Attorney General, and a criminal law expert appointed by the State Comptroller's head. The debate reached a peak as coalition members argued the current system allows politically motivated investigations, while opposition and legal officials warned of threats to prosecutorial independence.

The discussion occurs amid ongoing clashes between the current government and the Attorney General's office. MK Simcha Rothman sharply criticized Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon during a separate debate on splitting the Attorney General's role, accusing the legal establishment of harming public interest. Previously, the deputy legal advisers cautioned that over 380 laws grant the Attorney General broad "gatekeeper" powers, all at risk of politicization if reforms pass. The unified presence of all six deputies at Monday's hearing underscores the professional legal community's grave concerns about the bill's implications.