The Knesset plenum approved the law that defines and limits the attorney general's powers for the first time in second and third readings Wednesday evening, according to Ynet. The legislation is part of a broader reform of the legal advisory system.
The Knesset plenum gave final approval Wednesday evening to the law defining and limiting the attorney general's powers for the first time, with a vote of 65 in favor and 51 against, according to Ynet and N12. The vote, held at approximately 20:22 Jerusalem, came shortly after the Knesset passed a separate bill splitting the attorney general and state prosecutor roles, as The Zioneer reported earlier. Prime Minister Netanyahu was not present for the vote on the limiting law, consistent with earlier reports of his absence from the final votes on the splitting bill.
The bill—formally titled the Attorney General Bill (Legal Opinions, Representation and Oversight)—was sponsored by MKs Hanokh Melbizki, Yitzhak Kroizer, and Ariel Kelner. It allows the government to override the attorney general's legal opinions on non-criminal matters and gives the cabinet authority to determine the executive branch's position in court proceedings. The law will take effect on January 1, 2027. The Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee had approved the bill on Sunday evening (July 12, 20:41 Jerusalem), and the plenum voted on Tuesday (July 7, 00:21 Jerusalem) to split the original bill into separate legislation on the attorney general's role and the state prosecutor's role.
The legislation is part of a broader reform of the legal advisory system, a key priority of the coalition. Critics have argued it weakens the independence of legal oversight and could politicize the justice system. The earlier passage of the splitting law, which separates the attorney general and state prosecutor positions, complements the limiting law. The Zioneer reported on the committee approval and the split vote in previous bulletins.
Further details on the full list of MKs who voted and any immediate reactions from the opposition or legal officials are expected to emerge.
7 developments
- StrongKnesset Constitution Committee begins marathon debate on Attorney General split bill
- StrongKnesset committee approves law to weaken attorney general's role, sends to final votes
- StrongKnesset plenum approves splitting attorney general and state prosecutor bill, 59-45
- DevelopingLegal adviser to Knesset committee explains Rothman's split of Attorney General reform bill
Source and signal
- Internal intake