MK Rotman Halts Legislation Over Justice Ministry's Absence in Knesset Committee

A sharp confrontation unfolded on Monday in the Knesset Constitution Committee after representatives from the Justice Ministry failed to attend two consecutive meetings. Committee chairman MK Simcha Rotman suspended the discussions and declared that the bill to extend detention and prevent lawyer meetings for participants in the October 7 attack and detainees from the Gaza maneuver would not proceed until Justice Ministry legal advisors appear before the committee.

The committee initially debated an urgent agenda item initiated by MKs Ariel Kallner and Yinon Azulai concerning concerns about abuse of authority through prolonged disciplinary proceedings without resolution. Justice Ministry representatives were also absent from this session, prompting Rotman to halt the meeting. When the committee reconvened to discuss the detention extension bill, the ministry officials again did not show up, leading Rotman to express anger and refuse to advance the bill without explanations for their absence.

Rotman noted that the ministry’s seats were empty despite summons and that a letter requesting a meeting date was sent on July 2 with no response. He criticized the ministry’s conduct as disrespectful to the Knesset and as causing delays in disciplinary processes. Rotman warned that without ministry participation, related legislation would not move forward. He also addressed the detention bill, emphasizing that without approval, repeated court petitions would be necessary.

During the session, Rotman attacked State Attorney Gali Baharav-Miara, announcing plans to consider disciplinary action against her for prolonged investigations into attorney Roy Kahlon. He stated, "Finally, Israel will have government legal counsel that works for it, not against it." MK Moshe Saada also criticized Baharav-Miara’s handling of the disciplinary case, highlighting its unreasonable duration of one year and seven months, which prevents Kahlon from running for office. Saada said he contacted the Civil Service Commissioner to initiate disciplinary proceedings against her.