Full Breakdown
Knesset Advances Bill to Split Israel’s Attorney General Role
7/13/2026, 11:32:30 AM
Legislative Advance of the Split-Attorney-General Bill
The Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approved a bill to divide the Attorney General’s functions and sent it to the Knesset plenum for a second- and third-reading vote scheduled for later this week. The proposal would require the Attorney General to give legal advice to the executive while allowing the government to decide that the opinion does not reflect existing law. It also makes the Attorney General accountable to the government, places the office under the supervision of the Justice Minister and obliges the Attorney General to report to that minister.
Proposed Changes to the Attorney General’s Authority
Under current Israeli law the Attorney General heads criminal prosecutions, represents the state and the public interest in court, and provides binding legal counsel to government ministries. The split-bill seeks to:
- Authorize ministries to ignore the Attorney General’s opinions except in an undefined “criminal law” sphere.
- Revoke the Attorney General’s exclusive right to present the state’s position in court.
- Grant the Justice Minister oversight of the Attorney General’s work.
- Require the government to decide within 30 days of the law’s entry into force how the Attorney General will be appointed and removed, bypassing the existing professional-public search committee.
- Create two offices – an Attorney General and a Prosecutor General for criminal matters – and tie the Attorney General’s term to that of the appointing government.
Concerns About Rule-of-Law Impact
Legal analysts argue the bill would weaken the institution that safeguards Israel’s rule of law. By undermining the binding force of the Attorney General’s opinions and eliminating exclusive representation authority, the proposal could erode checks on executive power, affect election integrity, and destabilize democratic protections. The lack of a clear definition for the “criminal law” exception and the potential for rapid, politically driven appointment decisions are highlighted as risks to prosecutorial independence.
Position of Committee Chair Simcha Rothman
Simcha Rothman, chair of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, is championing the bill as a reform of the Attorney General’s status and powers. He frames the four key arrangements – government discretion over legal opinions, removal of exclusive court representation, Justice-Minister oversight, and a 30-day appointment decision – as necessary adjustments to the current system.
Implementation Timeline
If passed by the plenum, the law would take effect on 1 January 2027, meaning it would not apply during the upcoming election campaign. The next step is the scheduled plenum vote later this week.
