Rothman ejects deputy attorney general from stormy hearing on legislation to split up AG’s role

Knesset Constitution Committee chairman Simcha Rothman ejects Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon from a stormy hearing on a pair of controversial bills to curtail the power of the attorney general, after Limon attempted to intervene as Rothman repeatedly prevented the attorney general’s deputies from speaking.

The bills would split the attorney general’s role into two positions and make it significantly harder to indict senior officials, including the prime minister. The coalition is seeking to pass the legislation before the Knesset enters its summer recess, expected to be called in July.

The clash erupts as Rothman argues that there is no need for all five of the attorney general’s deputies — who make a rare joint appearance before the committee — to speak because they all represent the same legal position.

One by one, he silences and cuts off the officials, including Limon, before inviting Deputy Attorney General Avital Sompolinsky, the deputy for constitutional law, to present her opinion. She also manages to get only a few words in before Rothman cuts her off.

As Sompolinsky argues that the committee is attempting “to prevent us from presenting our professional position to the committee,” Rothman interrupts, declaring, “No, excuse me, no, I won’t let you.”

“Did I ever tell you not to come to the committee?” he demands, raising his voice and accusing Sompolinsky of telling “blatant lies.”

The exchange prompts outrage from opposition lawmakers, with Democrats MK Gilad Kariv shouting, “Enough! What is this disgrace? What a disaster for the Constitution Committee.”

Limon again attempts to intervene as Rothman shouts over Sompolinsky, but the chair orders him removed from the hearing.

As Limon is escorted out, Kariv shouts that Rothman is “revolting.”