Responding to Levin, AG vows she will ‘not be deterred’ by threats of dismissal

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara strongly rejects criticism leveled at her yesterday by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, insisting that she had an obligation to tell the government when its actions are not commensurate with the law.

Baharav-Miara adds that she and her staff will “not be deterred” from fully carrying out their responsibilities in pointing out problematic government activity and legislation by threats of dismissal.

Levin alleged in his letter that Baharav-Miara’s frequent opposition to government policy and legislation had left it without representation in court and asserted that there was no working relationship between the two sides, a situation which could be grounds to fire the attorney general.

“The Attorney General’s Office under my leadership will continue to fulfill its role to assist the government in achieving its policies within the boundaries of the law,” writes Baharav-Miara.

“At the same time, the expectation that the Attorney General’s Office will transgress its role and avoid overseeing the executive branch to its satisfaction, will mute its voice clarifying petitions in the High Court of Justice, or will be deterred from serving as a gatekeeper is an illegitimate expectation,” continues the attorney general.

“Doing so would severely harm the rule of law, the proper functioning of government, and in practice the public,” she adds.