Report: Coalition will advance bill to weaken legal advisers despite ongoing negotiations

16 April 2023, 8:21 pm

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Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee legal adviser Gur Blai (right), along with committee chairman MK Simcha Rothman of the Religious Zionism party, during a committee hearing, January 29, 2023. (Noam Moskowitz/ Knesset Spokespersons Department)

The coalition reportedly intends to advance a bill that severely limits the power of ministry legal advisers when the Knesset resumes its summer session — even if it holds off on many other elements in its planned judicial overhaul.

According to Channel 12 news, the coalition intends to put forth the most extreme version of the legislation, which would transform legal advisers and their advice from professional authorities to discretionary positions of trust. The bill would enable ministers to appoint their own legal advisers, and make both ministry legal advisers and the attorney general’s opinions non-binding on ministers and the cabinet.

Last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a pause in the judicial overhaul legislation to allow for ongoing talks brokered by President Isaac Herzog — centered on issues of judicial appointments and judicial review.