Knesset Passes Law Severely Limiting Israeli Attorney General's Authority

The Israeli Knesset has definitively approved a controversial law that significantly reduces the powers of the Attorney General. The legislation passed in its second and third readings with 65 votes in favor and 51 against. The law, championed by Constitution Committee Chair Simcha Rothman, allows the government to formally reject the Attorney General's legal opinions and no longer consider them binding.

Additionally, the government gains the right to appoint separate legal representation in the Supreme Court without the Attorney General's approval, effectively ending the Attorney General's exclusive authority to represent the state in legal matters. A key provision also prohibits the Attorney General from appearing before the Supreme Court to argue against government positions or present independent legal views that contradict official government policy.

The law further grants the incoming government sole authority over the appointment and dismissal procedures of the Attorney General, undermining the role's independence and addressing ministers' concerns about potential legal repercussions from the Attorney General. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was absent during the vote, but coalition members previously opposing other bills aligned with the government and supported this law at his request.

This legislation marks a fundamental shift in the balance of power between Israel's executive branch and its legal advisory system, potentially limiting judicial oversight of government actions in the future.