Former AG Mandelblit believes Israel heading toward end of democracy

Former attorney general Avichai Mandelblit says he believes Israel is heading in the direction of the end of democracy, with state institutions expected to be beholden to the coalition: “Instead of loyalty to the state, there will be loyalty to the ministers and to government.”

When asked by the Kan public broadcaster if he believes Israel is heading toward the end of democracy with the government’s attempts to subjugate institutions including the IDF, Shin Bet and Attorney General’s Office, Mandelblit responds “yes,” adding that it is not a recent development.

“It began in January 2023,” says the one-time ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, referring to Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s initial announcement of the contentious judicial overhaul.

“Then the direction was clear,” Mandelblit says. “The government’s direction is to weaken the gatekeepers and the defense mechanisms. We have the attorney general and the Supreme Court, and the free press. They don’t sit well with the government and it thinks they should be abolished.”

“Instead of loyalty to the state, there will be loyalty to the ministers and to government, and when there is only one authority, that’s not democratic,” he says.

“That’s what they want. I hope they won’t succeed,” says Mandelblit.

Mandelblit is also asked whether he believes his successor Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara would be correct if she decides not to attend a dismissal hearing today as the government works to fire her.

“If the hearing is illegal, and if it’s a hearing where there is no openness or willingness to listen, why show up? Why take part in this circus when the outcome is already predetermined?” says Mandelblit.