Israel Advances Bills to Weaken Judicial Checks

Legislative initiatives are currently being advanced by the ruling coalition to modify the structure of legal oversight within the government. The primary focus of these bills is to reduce the scope of authority held by the Attorney General and to alter the professional standing of ministerial legal advisers.

Under the proposed changes, the role of legal advisers would become politicized, aligning them more closely with the ministers they advise rather than the broader legal framework. Furthermore, the legislation aims to transfer significant authority regarding internal police investigations to the Justice Minister. These measures constitute a renewed attempt to implement judicial reforms that would diminish the ability of legal institutions to check government actions.

The ruling coalition is actively pursuing legislation designed to denude the Attorney General of power. This specific legislative effort is a central component of a broader initiative to restructure the relationship between the government and the legal establishment. The proposed bills aim to strip the Attorney General of specific oversight capabilities that have historically served as a check on executive decisions.

By reducing the AG's power, the coalition seeks to limit the ability of the legal system to intervene in government policy and administrative actions. This move is part of a coordinated strategy to ensure that government initiatives face fewer legal hurdles. The legislation reflects a significant shift in how legal accountability is managed at the highest levels of the state.

A key element of the proposed legislation involves the politicization of ministerial legal advisers. Currently, these advisers operate with a degree of independence, providing legal guidance based on established law and professional standards. The new bills propose changing their status so that they are beholden to the specific ministers they serve rather than the broader legal system.

This shift would fundamentally alter the nature of legal counsel within government ministries. Instead of acting as independent arbiters of legality, advisers would become part of the minister's political team. This change is intended to ensure that legal advice supports the minister's policy objectives, thereby streamlining the implementation of the government's agenda.

The proposed reforms also include a measure to give the justice minister power over internal police investigations. This provision would grant the political appointee significant influence over how the police conduct inquiries into their own operations and potentially other sensitive matters. Currently, such investigations are conducted with a degree of independence to ensure impartiality.

Granting the justice minister this authority would allow the political leadership to direct or influence the scope and findings of internal police probes. This represents a consolidation of control over law enforcement mechanisms within the executive branch. The move is designed to ensure that the police force remains aligned with the political objectives of the government.

These legislative efforts are not isolated but are part of a renewed push for judicial overhaul. The coalition had previously attempted to pass sweeping changes to the judicial system, which were met with significant public opposition and debate. The current bills appear to be a strategic re-introduction of specific components of that earlier agenda, repackaged to address the legal checks on government action.

The focus remains on shifting the balance of power away from the judiciary and legal institutions and toward the elected government officials. By targeting the Attorney General, legal advisers, and police investigations, the coalition is addressing the primary mechanisms through which legal oversight is exercised. This ongoing effort highlights the deep political divisions regarding the role of the legal system in Israeli governance.