Israeli Attorney General Ghali Behrav Mayara has challenged the legality of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's interference in changes to the judicial system sought by his government.
The Israel Broadcasting Corporation said Behraf told Netanyahu on Friday morning that his speech last night about changes in the judicial system was illegal and constituted a conflict of interest.
#ISRAEL:THE ATTORNEY VS #NETANYAHU. Leader violates conflict of interest agreement by pledging to take over judicial review,according to Attorney General Gali #Baharav–#Miara
The PM is currently on trial on charges of #corruption, #fraud and breach of trust https://t.co/A2dA7AWW5H
— Donato Yaakov Secchi (@doyaksec) March 24, 2023
"As prime minister and charged with felonies, you must refrain from taking actions that raise reasonable concerns that there is a conflict of personal interest, with regard to criminal proceedings and your position as prime minister, and to this end you must act in accordance with the legal opinion provided by the legal adviser, in order to prevent conflicts of interest," Behraf was quoted as saying in its letter.
"You should avoid any involvement in initiatives to bring about changes in the judicial system, including the formation of a committee for the selection of judges, because participation in it is an act of conflict. Your statement last night and any action you take contrary to the stated is illegal and tainted by a conflict of interest."
On Thursday evening, Netanyahu said in a speech: "Unfortunately, even today my hands are tied. To put aside all other considerations in the name of the homeland and the people, I will do everything in my power to reach a solution."
"I met with a series of ministers, including the defense minister, and I heard the concerns, I take everything into account, there is no room for hesitation, this puts national and personal security at risk, I will do everything in my power to calm souls and settle the rift in the nation," he said.
Netanyahu also said during a news conference Thursday that his government plans to submit the law on judicial reforms to the Knesset (parliament) for ratification next week.
Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, which are being heard by the court.
For more than 11 weeks, Israel has been witnessing widespread protests against the government's decision to pass a series of laws that would limit the authority of the Supreme Court, Israel's highest judicial body.
The government says the laws are aimed at judicial reform, but the opposition says they are a coup against the judiciary and turn Israel into a dictatorship.