Attorney general blocks emergency law expanding Netanyahu’s

Israel’s first woman to hold the office of attorney general, Gali Baharav‑Miara, has become a pivotal figure in the country’s political arena, curbing a wave of legislative initiatives that would have significantly expanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s executive powers. Since taking the helm in late 2022, Ms Baharav‑Miara has repeatedly invoked her constitutional mandate to ensure that any law passed by the Knesset is fully compliant with Israel’s legal framework and democratic norms. Her interventions have ranged from blocking controversial security measures to vetoing budgetary allocations that could have given the ruling coalition unprecedented control over the judiciary and civil service.The legal challenges have their roots in the 2023 “Emergency Law” proposals, which the government presented as a response to a string of terror attacks..

The bill would have granted the Prime Minister the authority to appoint senior judges, direct the appointment of state officials, and temporarily suspend civil rights in designated areas. Critics argued that these provisions threatened the balance of power that has been a cornerstone of Israeli democracy since the 1948 Declaration of Independence. Ms Baharav‑Miara’s office, in a statement released on the evening of 12 February, cited concerns that the proposed changes would undermine judicial independence and contravene Israel’s Basic Laws.Baharav‑Miara’s actions come at a time of heightened political volatility..

The Netanyahu‑led coalition, comprising the Likud party, the Religious Zionist Party, and other smaller factions, has been under scrutiny for attempting to consolidate power ahead of the next parliamentary elections scheduled for later this year. The coalition’s strategy has been to pass a series of amendments to the Basic Laws that would, in effect, create a more centralized system of governance. By halting the passage of these amendments, the attorney general has forced the coalition to revisit its strategy, a development that has reverberated across Israel’s political spectrum.The impact of Ms Baharav‑Miara’s interventions has extended beyond the legislative chamber..

In March, the attorney general’s office halted the transfer of a significant portion of the State’s budget earmarked for the National Police Force, a move that was intended to allow the Prime Minister greater flexibility in deploying security forces in contested regions. The decision was grounded in the principle that any allocation of public funds must be consistent with the law, and that any deviation could set a dangerous precedent. Lawmaker Yossi Glick, a vocal supporter of the budget change, called the action “unprecedented interference” in the executive branch’s fiscal prerogatives.Opposition parties have lauded the attorney general’s stance as a necessary safeguard against authoritarian drift..

The Labor Party’s spokesperson for parliamentary affairs, Maya Zohar, stated, “The attorney general’s decision reaffirms that no individual or coalition can override the checks and balances built into our constitution.” Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s allies have framed the interventions as an obstruction to national security efforts, arguing that the delays could impede the state’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats. In response, the attorney general’s office maintained that the rule of law requires that security measures be balanced against civil liberties, and that the existing legal framework already provides robust mechanisms for safeguarding citizens.International observers have taken notice of the unfolding legal battle. In a press briefing held in Washington on 5 April, the United States Department of State highlighted the significance of an independent judiciary in sustaining democratic institutions..

While acknowledging the challenges Israel faces from terrorism, officials stressed that the country must uphold the principles of due process and judicial oversight. European Union representatives echoed similar sentiments, expressing concern that any erosion of judicial independence could destabilize the region and affect Israel’s standing in international forums.The attorney general’s interventions have also triggered a wave of legal scholarship and public debate. A joint paper published by the Hebrew University Law School and the Tel Aviv University School of Law examined the scope of the attorney general’s powers, concluding that Ms Baharav‑Miara’s actions fall within a long tradition of judicial activism that has historically protected minority rights in Israel..

The paper cites landmark cases from the 1990s where the attorney general’s office curtailed executive overreach, noting that such interventions have become more frequent as the country grapples with new security challenges and demographic shifts.In response to the growing criticism from the ruling coalition, Prime Minister Netanyahu has signaled a willingness to engage in dialogue with the attorney general’s office. In a televised address on 17 April, he stated that the government would respect the legal process, but also emphasized that “Israel must be prepared to act decisively in the face of threats.” He hinted at a compromise that would involve a re‑draft of the Emergency Law with additional safeguards, though no formal proposal has yet been presented to the Knesset.The legal standoff has had tangible effects on the day‑to‑day operations of Israeli institutions. The Ministry of Interior announced a temporary halt to the appointment of new senior civil servants pending a review by the attorney general..

This decision has slowed the hiring process across several key departments, raising concerns about administrative bottlenecks. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has taken a more active role, issuing a stay order on the transfer of jurisdiction over certain civil matters to the police, effectively keeping the judicial system autonomous for the time being.As the next election cycle looms, the tension between the executive branch and the attorney general’s office is likely to intensify. Political strategists predict that the outcome of the current legal disputes could become a central issue in campaign rhetoric, with parties positioning themselves as either defenders of the rule of law or champions of decisive leadership..

For the Israeli public, the unfolding drama underscores the delicate balance between security needs and democratic safeguards—a balance that Gali Baharav‑Miara has taken seriously in her efforts to preserve the integrity of Israel’s constitutional order..