BREAKING: Israeli Government Votes to Oust Attorney General
Justice Minister Levin leads dramatic push to fire Gali Baharav-Miara; Supreme Court issues emergency injunction halting decision
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In a politically explosive move, the Israeli government voted unanimously on Monday to remove Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara from her position. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not participate in the vote, which was led by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and approved by all 22 cabinet ministers present.
Moments after the decision, the High Court of Justice issued an emergency injunction freezing the dismissal, pending legal review.
Baharav-Miara, who did not attend the cabinet session nor send a representative, had warned in a letter to ministers that the decision was “illegal.” She accused Levin of seeking a compliant legal adviser to greenlight unlawful government actions, including evading ultra-Orthodox military conscription and interfering with police investigations.
“This decision could influence the prime minister’s ongoing criminal trial and other probes into government officials,” she wrote.
Levin rejected her claims, stating: “We cannot accept a situation where the court imposes a politically driven attorney general on a government that has no trust in her.” He stressed that the government had made extended efforts to work with Baharav-Miara, including a months-long review process and two formal hearings. He criticized her refusal to respond to allegations or participate in proceedings.
Several ministers echoed Levin’s stance. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged a complete boycott of the attorney general starting immediately. Tourism Minister Haim Katz added, “An employee who doesn’t show up to work - gets fired.” Culture Minister Miki Zohar called her “a political adviser who chose sides.”
In a formal letter informing Baharav-Miara of her dismissal, Levin wrote: “You should not attempt, unsuccessfully, to impose yourself on a government that lacks faith in you. Respect for democracy and good governance means stepping aside.”
Following the vote, the opposition party Yesh Atid petitioned the High Court, arguing the firing was procedurally unlawful and designed to strip legal oversight from the government.