The Knesset gave final approval Wednesday evening to a law limiting the Attorney General's authority, with 65 MKs voting in favor and 51 against, according to N12's Daphna Liel. Prime Minister Netanyahu was not present for the vote.
The Knesset gave final approval Wednesday evening (20:22 Jerusalem) to a law curbing the attorney general's authority, with 65 MKs in favor and 51 against. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not present for the vote. The legislation, sponsored by MKs Hanokh Melbizki, Yitzhak Kroizer, and Ariel Kelner, allows the government to override the attorney general's legal opinions on non-criminal matters and gives the government the authority to determine the executive branch's position in court proceedings. The law, part of the coalition's judicial overhaul agenda, takes effect on January 1, 2027.
The Zioneer first reported the final approval at 20:22 Jerusalem, initially noting the bill's passage as part of a legislative marathon that also included the Settlements Law and the cancellation of the kashrut reform. Within minutes, the desk updated that the bill had been sponsored by MK Simcha Rothman (earlier versions), then confirmed the vote count of 65-51 and Netanyahu's absence. The latest update identified the sponsors and the effective date.
As The Zioneer reported earlier, the law is a central element of the coalition's judicial overhaul, reducing the attorney general's control over government decisions. The legislation was advanced despite strong opposition from the legal establishment and opposition parties.
The law's implementation timeline and potential legal challenges from opponents remain open as of this report.
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