Israel’s Attorney General Warns of Democratic Backsliding Under Netanyahu Government
June 2026 | By Azad News
Israel’s Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has warned that the country is experiencing democratic backsliding under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, particularly in relation to judicial independence and respect for court rulings.
Baharav-Miara, who also serves as the government’s legal adviser, has repeatedly clashed with the current administration since it took office in late 2022.
Speaking at a conference of the Israeli Bar Association, she said that a “race has begun” to weaken democratic institutions as the current parliamentary term approaches its end.
She highlighted two proposed legislative measures that she says could significantly alter the balance of power between Israel’s executive and judicial branches.
The first proposal seeks to split the attorney general’s authority by creating a separate “prosecutor general” position appointed by the justice minister.
The second proposal would expand the powers of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir over the police force, raising concerns among legal experts over increased political influence in law enforcement.
Baharav-Miara also criticised what she described as growing governmental disregard for court rulings, warning that failure to respect judicial decisions could weaken public trust in the legal system.
She pointed to ongoing disputes over military conscription policies, particularly regarding Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, which has historically been exempt from mandatory service.
Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled that the government must address the issue, but implementation has been delayed amid political disagreements within Netanyahu’s coalition.
The Attorney General warned that legal inconsistencies in enforcing conscription obligations risk creating inequality between citizens who serve in the military and those who do not.
Conclusion
The warning from Israel’s top legal official highlights growing tensions between the judiciary and executive branch, raising broader concerns about the stability of democratic institutions in the country.
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