Asked about hostages and Iran’s nuclear aims, far-right minister says firing AG is more important

Far-right Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu says that firing Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara is the most important action the government can take, even as Iran is on the cusp of becoming a nuclear nation and with 100 hostages held in Gaza.

“That’s exactly what we’re saying, that there’s nothing more important than that,” Eliyahu tells Army Radio when asked about the significance of potentially dismissing Baharav-Miara from her position.

When asked whether that was his position even with Iran signaling it may develop nuclear weapons, and with the hostages still in captivity, Eliyahu says: “I think you’re wrong in your analysis, because today I perceive the legal problem as a problem that harms Israel’s security.”

According to Channel 12 news, Eliyahu doubled down on his comments despite public criticism.

“Those who care about the hostages must understand that now more than ever, an unequivocal clarification is needed on the issue of the powers of the attorney general, military prosecutors and the state prosecutors,” he says, according to the outlet.

“The path to the release of the hostages passes through a complete military victory, and to achieve this it is our duty to ensure a deep reform of the legal system, a reform that begins with the dismissal of the controversial attorney general,” he says.

Efforts to oust the attorney general has been made for months by some coalition lawmakers due to their frustration with her refusal to defend various controversial measures the government seeks to advance that Baharav-Miara has determined would be unlawful.