AG says upcoming hearing paves way for her dismissal based on ‘corrupt considerations’

In a letter released ahead of a scheduled hearing on her potential dismissal, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara says she will not attend the meeting and issues a stark warning that the proceedings pave the way for the government to remove her — or any future attorney general — on the basis of “unrelated and corrupt considerations.”

According to Baharav-Miara, the hearing set for today by a controversial, recently appointed panel is a response to decisions she has made in line with her legal duties: blocking unlawful government actions, ordering investigations or indictments of coalition members, or refusing to halt ongoing criminal proceedings involving a sitting minister.

She also cites concerns that the move may be part of a “political deal” aimed at ensuring the government’s survival.

She describes the process as a “sham hearing” with a predetermined outcome, warning it will deal a severe blow to the rule of law and to democracy.

The coalition and the attorney general have been in conflict since the government was sworn in at the end of 2022, with the government accusing her of serially thwarting its policies and actions, and Baharav-Miara — who was appointed by the previous government — accusing the government of acting unlawfully and advancing unconstitutional legislation.

In March, the government set in motion the process of firing the attorney general under a system established in 2000. But in June, after failing to make progress under the existing procedures, the cabinet passed a resolution establishing a new five-member ministerial committee that could trigger the process, headed by Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli.

High Court Justice Noam Sohlberg yesterday dismissed a petition by anti-government activists and civil society groups to prevent the ministerial panel from convening for the dismissal hearing. Baharav-Miara expressed support for the petition in a court filing last week.

Sohlberg rejected the petition on procedural grounds, saying the ministerial committee still had not made a recommendation on Baharav-Miara’s ouster, so there was nothing to adjudicate yet. That means petitioners can refile their objections to the court should the committee indeed recommend Baharav-Miara’s removal.