AG to High Court: My conflict of interest rules for PM are legally binding

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit says his conflict of interest arrangement for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — which prevents him from appointing top law enforcement officials, among other restrictions — is legally binding.

In a letter to the High Court of Justice, Mandelblit says the legal framework is not a recommendation, or dependent on the prime minister’s “good will.”

Under Mandelblit’s arrangement, Netanyahu also cannot be involved in any matters that affect witnesses or other defendants in his trial, or legislation that would impact the legal proceedings against him. He cannot intervene in matters related to the status of several top police and prosecution officials, in several fields under the responsibility of the Communications Ministry, or in the Judicial Appointments Committee, which appoints judges to the Jerusalem District Court — where his trial is being conducted — and to the Supreme Court, which would hear any appeals in the case.

Netanyahu’s lawyers have disputed part of the rules.

“The law does not grant the attorney general the authority to determine conflict of interest on a particular issue,” Netanyahu’s attorneys wrote on his behalf, claiming that only the prime minister himself is authorized to make such a determination.

The High Court of Justice will consider the issue on Thursday.

Netanyahu is currently on trial, facing charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He denies any wrongdoing.