Attorney general refuses to defend ministers’ firing of Israel Postal Co. chair

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has told Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Regional Cooperation Minister David Amsalem she will not represent them in High Court of Justice petitions against their firing of the head of the Israel Postal Company, after telling them the move presents significant legal difficulties.

Baharav-Miara adds, however, that the Likud ministers can be represented by private lawyers of their choosing.

The step may mark a new showdown between the justice system and the government, many of whose members have advocated for firing the attorney general.

The removal last month of Israel Postal Company chair Mishael Vaknin has drawn intense criticism from Government Companies Authority director Michal Rosenbaum, and was also opposed by some in the Justice Ministry.