Attorney General-Proposed Judicial Reforms Risk Checks & Balances

Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has stated that the proposed judicial reforms put forward by the gov't of PM Benjamin Netanyahu risk the checks and balances in place between the country's political authorities. The proposed changes enhance gov't control over judicial appointments and limit the supreme court's ability to overturn legislation passed by the Knesset.

• An official opinion from the AG's office stated that "A general inspection of these changes shows they harm the very fabric of the brakes and balances between authorities," Adding that any judicial alterations should be made in an "orderly and thoughtful" manner in light of a "firm factual basis and broad consensus".
• Earlier on 2 Feb in a letter to Netanyahu, Baharav-Miara - appointed to the role by the previous anti-Netanyahu gov't - stated that “You must avoid as part of your role as prime minister involvement in initiatives related to the legal system,”
• The AG's position is unlikely to result in a change in plans from the gov't, but highlights the deep divisions within Israeli politics over the issue.Reuters wrote earlier in the week that the fight over judicial reforms and the impact of changes could unnerve investors in the country.