The Israeli government voted Monday to fire the country’s attorney general, who is currently prosecuting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption trial.
Israeli Minister of Justice Yariv Levin revealed that the Cabinet voted unanimously to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara from office.
While Baharav-Miara said the vote effectively removes her as the chief prosecutor in Netanyahu’s trial, the move won’t take effect until after the Supreme Court of Israel rules on the appeals opposing it. The court will likely block her removal, as it already indicated it would issue an injunction if the vote passed.
Netanyahu did not participate in the vote to remove Baharav-Miara due to the apparent conflict of interest.
The Netanyahu-led government has long criticized Baharav-Miara for exceeding her authority, accusing the attorney general of blocking its decisions, appointments, and legislation for politically motivated reasons. Right-wing Israeli politicians have often called for her dismissal.
Baharav-Miara said the move to fire her is illegal, warning it will set a dangerous precedent.
“From now on, the government will be able to fire any attorney general — the state’s top prosecutor — without any oversight mechanisms, and even on improper grounds,” she said in a letter to the Israeli Cabinet. “For example, in retaliation for warning against illegal actions, ordering an investigation of a minister, refusing to halt a criminal case against a government member, or as part of a political deal.”
The embattled official added it could “influence the prime minister’s criminal trial and ongoing investigations involving other ministers and associates.”
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She is also investigating alleged ties between Netanyahu’s advisers and Qatar.
Netanyahu is facing trial for his alleged role in accepting $200,000 in bribes from businessmen and granting regulatory favors to a media tycoon in exchange for favorable news coverage. He was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, all of which he denied. The trial has been delayed for years, partly due to Israel’s war with Hamas.