Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to consolidate power by dismissing Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, a move seen as part of a broader effort to reshape the judiciary. If successful, this dismissal could provoke a dispute with Israel's Supreme Court. Baharav-Miara has labeled her dismissal as illegal, alleging that Netanyahu desires a compliant legal advisor for unlawful policies. Concurrently, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff discusses a more comprehensive hostage release agreement amid ongoing war tensions, reflecting U.S. concern over the situation.
Netanyahu's government is set to vote Monday afternoon to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, a frequent challenger of government policies. If approved, her dismissal would mark one of the most significant steps in Netanyahu's years-long effort to remake the country's judiciary. It could also lead to a confrontation between the elected government and Israel's Supreme Court, which will review and rule on the legality of Baharav-Miara's removal.
A statement from Baharav-Miara's office Monday addressing the government called her potential dismissal "illegal" and said that it indicated that Netanyahu "seeks a legal advisor who will comply with the government's demands and legitimize unlawful actions."
The political turmoil unfolded as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff was in Israel over the weekend to discuss efforts to end the war. On Saturday, he met with the families of hostages in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square to tell them the U.S. was now pursuing a more inclusive hostage release agreement, one that would require Hamas to free all of those still held in captivity in exchange for a formal end to the conflict.
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