Deputy Legal Advisor Warns Israeli Government Lawyers to Continue Work Amid Controversial Attorney General Role Split Law

On the eve of the Knesset's expected approval of the law to split the Attorney General's role, Dr. Gil Limon, Deputy Legal Advisor to the Government, issued a letter to all government legal advisors outlining the new role definitions and restrictions. Limon warned of the law's dramatic implications, describing it as a "regime change" and a severe blow to Israel's democratic identity. He urged legal advisors to maintain their professional, impartial work as before, emphasizing that the public would be the ultimate victim, especially critics of the government and officials serving as checks on political power.

Limon detailed how the proposed law would weaken the Attorney General's office and the State Prosecution by making their legal opinions non-binding and subject to political influence. This shift would transfer legal decision-making from an independent professional level to the political echelon, allowing the government to effectively govern itself without legal constraints, including in criminal matters. He described the law as a gateway to undermining fundamental democratic safeguards such as law enforcement independence, free media, civil liberties, and election integrity.

He criticized the legislative process for lacking professional support and noted that the law does not truly split the Attorney General and State Prosecutor roles but instead diminishes their authority. The law would enable the government to disregard legal advice, exempt officials from compliance, and politicize appointments and dismissals of senior public servants, threatening the independence of law enforcement agencies like the police.

Limon also highlighted risks of government interference in secret security operations, budget decisions, and the silencing of the Attorney General's voice in court proceedings by allowing the government to hire external legal representation and prevent the Attorney General from presenting the public interest. He warned this would severely impair judicial review and citizen protections against arbitrary government actions.

Finally, Limon pointed out that the law paves the way for politically motivated appointment and dismissal of the Attorney General, undermining the office's role as an independent legal guardian. He concluded that these changes represent an extreme step in the ongoing erosion of democratic checks and balances in Israel.