Attorney General Demands Sole Authority to Approve Probes of Arab MK Aides
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has asserted her exclusive authority to approve investigations into parliamentary aides of the Joint List party, linking them to an MK and foreign election interference. MK Tali Gottlieb fiercely criticized Baharav-Miara, calling her "crazy" and "dangerous" for allegedly trying to obstruct the probe. Gottlieb argued that parliamentary immunity does not apply to actions related to foreign interference and that aides lack immunity.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara requires her approval for Shin Bet probes of Arab MK aides.
- The probes are linked to an MK and suspected foreign election interference and bribery.
- MK Tali Gottlieb called the Attorney General "crazy" and "dangerous" for her decision.
- Gottlieb accused Baharav-Miara of trying to obstruct a Qatar-related investigation.
- Baharav-Miara stated that parliamentary immunity rules apply to the aides' investigations.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has informed the Shin Bet that any investigation into parliamentary aides of the Joint List party requires her prior approval. The Shin Bet had sought to question these aides as part of an investigation into foreign involvement in elections, suspected bribery, and election fraud within the Arab sector, which is linked to a Member of Knesset (MK).
Baharav-Miara stated that because the suspicions involve an MK, investigating their aides must be considered part of the investigation into the MK themselves. Consequently, she asserted, parliamentary immunity rules and required procedures apply, necessitating her explicit consent for such interrogations.
Furthermore, the Attorney General stipulated that the Shin Bet must first establish concrete suspicions against the MK before she would consider approving their summons for questioning, along with their aides. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from MK Tali Gottlieb.
Gottlieb vehemently attacked Baharav-Miara, accusing her of attempting to obstruct the investigation into a Qatar-related affair. "Mrs. Miara, the ousted Attorney General. You are crazy! Forgive me. There is no other word," Gottlieb wrote, adding that parliamentary immunity does not cover actions taken in connection with foreign interference like Qatar's alleged involvement in Israel. Gottlieb argued that parliamentary aides do not possess immunity and accused the Attorney General of having a vested interest in preventing the Shin Bet from investigating the Qatar affair, concluding that Baharav-Miara is "dangerous" and harms the rule of law and national security.
