Israeli Attorney General Imposes Strict Limits on Ministers During Election Period

Following the official start of the election recess in Israel, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara issued stringent guidelines restricting the decision-making powers of ministers and the outgoing government. These directives aim to ensure political restraint, preventing the use of government authority to favor narrow party interests or create irreversible situations that could bind the incoming administration. Any decision beyond routine management now requires a prior, detailed legal review.

In a letter sent to Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs on Friday, Baharav-Miara emphasized that the government has become a caretaker administration with significantly reduced operational scope. This follows the recent approval of an amendment to the Political Parties Financing Law, which officially placed Israel in an election period ahead of the Knesset elections scheduled for October 27, 2026.

The Attorney General highlighted the legal obligation for the government to exercise restraint during this period, balancing the need for action with necessary caution. She instructed that all proposals for government or ministerial committee decisions must be accompanied by a legal opinion addressing these limitations. Ministers and relevant authorities are required to conduct preliminary legal consultations within their ministries before making any decisions.

More detailed guidelines are expected soon, covering specific areas such as appointments, grants, secondary legislation, and international agreements. The legal and public significance of the government’s caretaker status is underscored by judicial precedent, which mandates increased restraint to prevent misuse of state resources for political advantage. The overarching goal is to protect public interest and avoid binding the next government with irreversible decisions.