In a dramatic move, Israel’s cabinet voted to fire Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, intensifying a deep constitutional crisis over judicial independence.
The High Court swiftly froze the dismissal, pending legal review. Baharav-Miara called the firing “unlawful” and warned it would damage democracy and remove critical legal checks on government power. She vowed to continue her work “faithfully and honestly.”
The government accuses her of obstructing its agenda, while she maintains her role is to uphold the law, not to serve the cabinet’s political goals. Critics see the firing as part of the broader judicial overhaul that threatens Israel’s democratic institutions.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin and others argue the government must be free to choose its legal advisers. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said his office would ignore her legal opinions, defying the court’s temporary order.
Netanyahu, whose ongoing criminal trial is overseen by Baharav-Miara, recused himself from the vote but signaled support for the dismissal. Opposition figures denounced the move as a power grab while hostages remain captive in Gaza and the country faces mounting challenges.
The High Court has scheduled a hearing by September 4 and barred any new attorney general appointments in the meantime.
