Government seeks to weaken legal adviser’s powers amid fierce criticism

The Israeli government is moving forward with controversial plans to fundamentally reshape the role of the state’s chief legal adviser, prompting warnings from senior judicial officials that the changes would effectively neuter the position. According to the draft legislation set for a parliamentary vote, the government would no longer be obliged to seek legal opinions from the Attorney General’s office before making decisions. Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon warned the constitutional affairs committee that the proposed changes amount to dismantling the office entirely. “This would effectively turn the position into a private lawyer for the government,” Limon said. “When there are concerns about democracy, that voice would be silenced.” The planned reforms have sparked significant controversy among legal experts and opposition lawmakers who argue they would remove crucial institutional checks on executive power. Under the current system, government decisions are subject to legal review by the Attorney General, who can challenge policies deemed to violate Israeli law or democratic principles. The proposed changes would remove the government’s legal obligation to consult with or follow the advice of the chief legal officer, fundamentally altering the balance of power within Israel’s political system. Critics argue the move represents an attempt to remove a significant institutional constraint on government authority at a time of heightened political tensions within Israeli society.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.