Ahead of Tisha B’Av, Herzog denounces push to oust AG, warns of deepening national rift

President Isaac Herzog on Friday issued a stark warning to the government not to inflame national tensions and reiterated his opposition to its efforts to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

The government summoned Baharav-Miara to a hearing before the cabinet on Monday, where she will have an opportunity to defend her conduct in office before ministers vote on her dismissal. A vote to fire the attorney general will face High Court petitions and could spark major demonstrations by opposition groups who view her as one of the last backstops to unrestrained government power.

In a post published on X ahead of Tisha B’Av, the Jewish day of mourning for the destruction of the ancient Temples, Herzog said the lessons of Tisha B’Av — often focused on internal hatred and divisions — must extend far beyond the calendar date.

“I read that the government’s decision to postpone the discussion on firing the attorney general was based on the desire ‘not to deepen divisions among the people ahead of Tisha B’Av,’” Herzog wrote. “Let me remind everyone: There is no obligation to deepen social divisions after Tisha B’Av either!

“On the contrary,” he continued, “the day commemorating the destruction of the Temples should not stand in isolation, but be a time for drawing lessons, for soul-searching, for change and restraint — values that should be expressed throughout the entire year.”

Herzog, who has consistently warned against civil strife surrounding the government’s judicial overhaul agenda, said, “Just like two years ago, our enemies are enjoying the unraveling of Israeli society from within—they’re waiting for us to do their work for them.

“We face historic challenges,” he wrote. “We don’t have the privilege of engaging in civil wars that tear us apart.”

“Before another match is tossed onto the powder keg,” he continued, “we must stop. We must demonstrate national responsibility and safeguard our shared home. We’re all searching for hope, and it’s inconceivable that even in this dark hour, some continue to pour oil onto the flames.”

The president has repeatedly criticized the government for rushing to remove Baharav-Miara, even going so far as to alter standard procedures on the matter. He issued a fierce warning in July against the effort, denouncing the process as “utter chaos” and demanding “responsibility” from the government.

In a video address released by his office at the time, Herzog likened the situation to “a rollercoaster that’s lost its brakes.”

“Everyone is attacking everyone. Everyone is blaming everyone. Everyone is striking out at everyone,” he said, describing what he called an increasingly perilous atmosphere. “It’s a very dangerous situation… It’s incredibly dangerous.”

Last week, a newly formed ministerial committee recommended that the government remove the attorney general, citing “substantive and ongoing differences of opinion between the government and the attorney general, preventing effective cooperation.” The committee was established after the government failed to initiate her dismissal through the established legal procedure, and then changed the procedure itself to enable it to proceed.

The High Court of Justice has ruled that any cabinet decision to dismiss Baharav-Miara will not take immediate effect, in order to allow the court time to consider petitions against the process. Several watchdog groups have argued the move is unlawful and politically motivated.

Nonetheless, The Times of Israel has learned that even if the court prevents her removal, the government is planning to boycott Baharav-Miara, including excluding her from cabinet meetings and other key forums.