Deputy Legal Advisor Gil Limon Condemns Bill to Split Attorney General Role as 'Abolition'

Gil Limon, the Deputy Legal Advisor to the Israeli government, sharply criticized a proposed bill to split the role of the Attorney General, calling it effectively an abolition of the position rather than a division. Speaking at a legal advisors conference on Tuesday, Limon warned that if the bill passes, the government would no longer be practically bound by the rule of law, as it would define the law for itself. He described the proposal as a complete cancellation of the Attorney General's role as guardian of the rule of law and public interest within the executive branch, removing a crucial safeguard for legal oversight.

Limon further argued that the bill would open the door to corruption, unfair resource allocation, harm to watchdog institutions, and violations of human rights. He emphasized the heightened risk during election periods, where government power might be exploited for political gain, ultimately harming the public by depriving citizens of essential protections against arbitrary government actions. He characterized the bill as a radical step in an ongoing erosion of democratic checks and balances.

Highlighting recent government disregard for legal advice on issues such as the termination of senior officials’ terms, free press matters including the closure of Galei Tzahal and funding cuts to Haaretz newspaper, and military conscription, Limon said the bill would normalize and expand this problematic trend. It would allow the government not only to ignore the Attorney General’s opinions but also to dismiss senior public officials from their duties.

Limon also criticized provisions that would expand the government’s authority to hire external legal counsel, even when the state prosecution represents the government’s position, enabling ministers dissatisfied with the prosecution’s stance to hire outside lawyers. Additionally, the bill would permit the government to block the Attorney General from participating in legal proceedings, effectively silencing the public interest voice. Limon warned this would lead to full politicization of government legal representation and severely undermine the judiciary’s ability to conduct effective judicial review of government actions.