Government Agrees To Revert To Previous Procedure For Firing Attorney General

The government has informed the High Court that it is prepared to reinstate the original procedure for dismissing an attorney general, following the court’s recommendation to cancel the new method used earlier this year against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

At the beginning of September, the court unanimously urged the government to revoke its June decision that introduced a new process for firing the attorney general, and to nullify Baharav-Miara’s dismissal. It gave the state until September 14 to respond on whether it would accept the recommendation.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin submitted the government’s reply just minutes before the 11:59 p.m. deadline.

The cabinet had unanimously voted on August 4 to remove Baharav-Miara but failed to follow the 2000 framework, which stipulates that a public, professional committee must recommend appointments or dismissals of attorneys general.

To speed up her ouster, ministers formed a new panel to issue a recommendation, later adopting its advice when they voted to terminate her in August.

On September 1, in response to petitions contesting Baharav-Miara’s removal, the High Court advised the government to return to the process established in 2000, which involves consultation with the professional committee.

The government has now told the court it will hold a hearing on restoring that system within the next two weeks, provided the decision can be reached swiftly and with assurances that the committee will not include any former justice minister or attorney general, since none agreed to participate in the panel previously.