Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu cannot be involved in legal overhaul: Attorney general Miara
The Hindu
“You must avoid as part of your role as Prime Minister involvement in initiatives related to the legal system,” Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara wrote to Benjamin Netanyahu in a letter.
Israel's attorney general has told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he must not be involved in an overhaul to the country's judicial system proposed by his government, saying in a letter made public on February 2 that he risks a conflict of interest in his ongoing corruption trial.
Mr. Netanyahu's new far-right government has made changing the legal system a centre-piece of its legislative agenda and despite mounting public criticism, has charged ahead with steps to weaken the Supreme Court and grant politicians less judicial oversight in their policy-making.
Mr. Netanyahu is on trial for fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of scandals involving influential media moguls and wealthy associates. He denies wrongdoing.
“You must avoid as part of your role as Prime Minister involvement in initiatives related to the legal system,” Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara wrote to Mr. Netanyahu in the letter, which was sent on February 1. She said that meant Mr. Netanyahu could also not direct others to advance the plan.
The letter included an opinion by Mr. Baharav-Miara’s deputy, saying the overhaul would “benefit the Prime Minister in terms of the administration of his trial.” It said the changes would allow the governing coalition to more easily advance legislation that could assist Mr. Netanyahu.
Amir Fuchs, a senior researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think-tank, said Ms. Baharav-Miara’s position won’t affect the plan’s progress. He said the attorney general’s position is binding, meaning Mr. Netanyahu won’t be able to deal with the legal changes, and neither will any of his political appointees on his behalf. “But Ministers in his government should be able to,” he said.
The judicial overhaul was launched by the country’s Justice Minister, a close confidante of Mr. Netanyahu’s, and the Israeli leader has touted it as the right step for the country.
Pune luxury car crash: Police custody for Shivani and Vishal Agarwal in destruction of evidence case
Shivani and Vishal Agarwal remanded to police custody for swapping blood samples in luxury car crash case.