Emboldened by Trump, Netanyahu is driving Israel into judicial crisis
Empowered by moves in Washington, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and is pushing for the sacking of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
TEL AVIV — The renewed war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, preparations for a potential strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and resurgent tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon all pale compared to the looming judicial crisis facing Israel.
Israel has no constitution, but a set of basic laws. Still, judicial experts are warning it could face a constitutional crisis, namely a conscious and public refusal by the government to implement a judicial decision, in a manner that expresses a renunciation of the principles of the rule of law and the separation of powers.
Not only has the government resumed the judicial overhaul to weaken the country’s courts, which was suspended by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas invasion, it has moved to fire the statutorily appointed gatekeepers of Israel’s democratic institutions — Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
Bar’s security agency, statutorily tasked with defending Israel’s democratic rule, is investigating suspicions against aides to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning influence peddling by Qatar, whereas Baharav-Miara heads the state prosecution trying Netanyahu on corruption charges.
