Israeli authorities wholeheartedly endorse the termination of the Prosecutor-General.
In a move that has sparked significant controversy, the Israeli government has unanimously approved the removal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. The decision, which was announced by Justice Minister Yariv Levin via a Facebook statement, has been widely seen as controversial, threatening to eliminate one of the last significant judicial checks on government power.
The dismissal of Baharav-Miara coincides with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu being on trial for criminal charges, leading critics to argue that the move is illegal and politically motivated. Baharav-Miara herself has denounced the authorities for acting in violation of the law in her removal.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi requested her removal in November 2024, and the vote took place with 22 ministers voting in favor of the removal, neither the Attorney General nor the Prime Minister present. MK Karine Elharrar of Yesh Atid stated, "The government does not want legal advice, it wants obedience, it has chosen to abandon the rule of law, and we have chosen to fight for it and for democracy."
Following the government's vote, the decision is expected to undergo judicial review by the Israeli High Court of Justice, meaning the removal will not take effect immediately and may face legal challenges that could reinstate her or block the dismissal. Baharav-Miara has stated that her job is to present the government with the legal limits "without them constituting differences of opinion or reasons for dismissal."
The opposition party Yesh Atid, led by Yair Lapid, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to block the removal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. Meanwhile, protests have occurred outside the Prime Minister's office over her dismissal. Karhi has stated that "we cannot allow a governmental vacuum to be filled with a pile of unfounded legal interpretations." He added that "if it were up to me, I would file a charge against her for fraud and breach of trust."
The details of the reasons for the dismissal and the specific allegations of fraud and breach of trust were not specified in the article. The controversy surrounding the removal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has intensified debates over the independence of the Attorney General’s office and broader issues of democracy and governance in Israel.
Elsewhere, Spain won the Eurobasket U18 Men's Championship against France, and Madrid announced the arrival of Lionel Richie for a night of legendary ballads. In other news, Costa Rica asked the US to pause the implementation of tariffs amid concerns from its export sector, and Israel approved a reconstruction plan for border areas with Gaza that aims to double its population.
References: [1] Haaretz. (2025, August 1). Israeli High Court: Government Cannot Immediately Dismiss Attorney General. [online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/politics/.premium-israeli-high-court-government-cannot-immediately-dismiss-attorney-general-1.9538857
[2] The Times of Israel. (2025, August 1). Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's removal sparks legal and political storm. [online] Available at: https://www.timesofisrael.com/attorney-general-gali-baharav-miaras-removal-sparks-legal-and-political-storm/
The removal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who denounced the authorities for acting in violation of the law, has sparked a legal and political storm, with the opposition party Yesh Atid filing a petition to block her dismissal. This controversial decision, made by the Israeli government, comes at a time when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial for criminal charges, raising concerns about the independence of the Attorney General’s office and broader issues of democracy and governance in Israel. Meanwhile, the Eurobasket U18 Men's Championship was won by Spain, and Madrid announced the arrival of Lionel Richie for a night of legendary ballads, while Costa Rica asked the US to pause the implementation of tariffs amid concerns from its export sector, and Israel approved a reconstruction plan for border areas with Gaza that aims to double its population.
