Full Breakdown
High Court of Justice Urges Reinstatement of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara
9/2/2025, 1:47:54 AM
Court's Unanimous Recommendation
On September 11, 2025, the High Court of Justice in Israel unanimously recommended that the government revoke its decision to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. The court instructed the government to respond by September 14 regarding its acceptance of this recommendation and the annulment of the new process for firing the attorney general, which was established in June 2025. This ruling came after the government failed to respond to petitions challenging the dismissal process and did not have legal representation during a scheduled hearing.
Background of the Dismissal
The government’s decision to fire Baharav-Miara on August 4, 2025, was based on a new ministerial committee's recommendation, which deviated from the original process established in 2000 that required a public, professional committee to oversee such decisions. Justice Noam Sohlberg, who presided over the initial proceedings, had previously advised the government to revert to the original method. Following the dismissal, Sohlberg froze Baharav-Miara's termination and ruled that her legal advice to the government would remain binding.
Official Statements & Responses
Justice Minister Yariv Levin criticized the High Court's recommendation, labeling it as “theater of the absurd” and asserting that the government would not comply with any ruling that annulled the dismissal. Levin argued that the government should determine its attorney general, especially during wartime, and claimed that cooperation with Baharav-Miara had broken down. In contrast, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid welcomed the court's decision, asserting it would prevent the government from acting unlawfully. The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a key petitioner against the dismissal, hailed the court's recommendation as a significant legal achievement.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the government's actions, including Lapid and the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, expressed concerns about the implications of the dismissal. They argued that the government's approach undermines the rule of law and the independence of legal institutions. The Movement for Quality Government stated that the court should have issued a final ruling to annul the dismissal due to the government's lack of response to the petitions.
What's Next
The High Court has set a deadline of October 30 for final responses from the government, after which it may issue a definitive ruling on the matter. The court's decision to freeze Baharav-Miara's dismissal remains in effect, ensuring that her legal advice continues to guide the government in the interim.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You can’t force the government, especially when we’re in the midst of a war, to work with her even for one day longer.” — Yariv Levin, Justice Minister
- “An illegitimate minority government cannot fire [law enforcement] gatekeepers who do their work dutifully.” — Yair Lapid, Opposition Leader
- “an unprecedented legal achievement that proves that our petition is utterly correct.” — Movement for Quality Government in Israel
This case highlights ongoing tensions between the Israeli government and judicial authority, raising significant questions about the independence of legal institutions and the rule of law in the country.
