Political Clash in Knesset Threatens Historic Law to Weaken Attorney General's Power

The Knesset faced a dramatic deadlock on Wednesday during the crucial second and third readings of a historic bill aimed at reducing the authority of the Attorney General. The legislation, championed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Constitution Committee Chair Smotrich, had undergone about 70 committee sessions but stalled amid a fierce confrontation between United Torah Judaism leader Moshe Gafni and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The dispute erupted over delays in approving a promised salary increase for ultra-Orthodox kindergarten teachers, which United Torah Judaism accuses Smotrich of blocking to pressure coalition negotiations in Beit Shemesh.

In response, United Torah Judaism threatened to withhold support for the key coalition bill, risking its collapse in the Knesset. The Religious Zionist Party, led by Smotrich, fired back with unprecedented harsh rhetoric, accusing Gafni of granting immunity to the "judicial dictatorship" of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and warning that if the bill fails, Gafni and his allies "will not be able to show their faces in the ultra-Orthodox street."

The bill seeks to fundamentally alter the relationship between the government and the legal advisory system by stripping the Attorney General’s legal opinions of binding authority, making them advisory only. It also empowers the government to determine its legal stance in court cases and to hire private lawyers if the Attorney General refuses to represent the government’s position. This legislative overhaul is part of a broader political deal with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which included other significant laws favored by the ultra-Orthodox parties.

As tensions escalate, Constitution Committee Chair Smotrich has delayed the vote to allow behind-the-scenes mediation efforts. However, the coalition’s unity and the bill’s fate remain uncertain amid deepening political rifts. The outcome will significantly impact Israel’s judicial system and the balance of power between elected officials and legal authorities.