AG asks High Court to invalidate law protecting Netanyahu from court-ordered recusal

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara sides against the government in response to a High Court petition against a law passed by the coalition in March banning the court from ordering a prime minister to recuse himself from office, requesting the legislation be struck down.

Baharav-Miara argues in a filing with the High Court of Justice that the Knesset misused its authority to improve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal position while he’s on trial for graft charges and sought “allow him to operate in contravention of court rulings.”

The Movement for Quality Government, which filed the petition against the law, says the attorney general’s position essentially adopts its claims and that her submission “reminds the government that the rule of law applies to those who rule.”

Baharav-Miara’s filing once again puts her at odds with the government and Netanyahu, with whom she has clashed on numerous occasions over government legislation and decisions.

The law, an amendment to Basic Law: The Government, was passed due to a concern by Netanyahu and the coalition that the High Court would order him to recuse himself due to conflicts of interest relating to his ongoing trial and the judicial overhaul legislation he and his government are advancing.