Government said pushing measure that would let it advance bills, take action without AG’s approval

The government is planning to approve a cabinet resolution that would allow it to carry out executive actions and advance legislation without input and approval from the Attorney General’s Office, according to Hebrew media reports and a letter from Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon.

The reported resolution would be the latest salvo in the government’s ongoing effort to sideline, as well as outright dismiss, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who has opposed some of the government’s signature initiatives and refused to defend some of its actions in court.

Ynet reports that the resolution is scheduled to be brought for a vote in the cabinet today. A spokesperson for Justice Minister Yariv Levin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Limon writes in a letter to Levin that the resolution would essentially mean the government would not need to act in accordance with the law and represents a “foundational change” in processes to ensure the proper running of government and the rule of law.

“This would do severe harm to the public and create a wide opening for illegal action by the government, for abusing governmental power, and unlawful use of government budgets,” warns Limon.

The deputy attorney general also writes that election years, when the government is under greater pressure, demand greater stringencies in preventing misuse of power “for achieving goals that are not for the benefit of the entire public.”

Writes Limon, “The implications [of the resolution] … lead to the government’s renunciation of its obligation to act in accordance with the law,” which he said would “remove guarantees intended to ensure the proper functioning of the public service and the rule of law.”