Cabinet ministers today (Sunday) unanimously approved an unprecedented decision brought forward by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Yariv Levin, to express no confidence in the Legal Advisor to the Government, Attorney Gali Baharav Mayara.
This is "in light of her inappropriate conduct and in light of the existence of substantial and prolonged differences of opinion between the government and the Legal Advisor to the Government, which create a situation that prevents effective cooperation.".
The discussion was held in her absence, because she chose not to appear at the meeting.
This is not yet a matter of impeachment itself, since in order to impeach, a special committee is needed to discuss appointments and dismissals, and some of the committee members are missing. The coalition intends to appoint people from its own party to the committee.
In accordance with the law, Justice Minister Yariv Levin intends to contact the public professional committee headed by retired President Asher Grunis, in order to hold consultations on the matter of terminating the term of office of the Legal Advisor to the Government, and upon receipt of its conclusions, bring a proposal on this matter to the government.
According to estimates, the procedure may take about two months, and in any case, there is doubt whether the High Court will approve the dismissal.
Minister Levin said after the meeting: "The harsh words spoken by all ministers at the meeting and the full support of government ministers for the motion to express no confidence in the advisor are a precedent-setting event that indicates the strength of the rift that the legal advisor to the government has caused in her relations with the government.".
""From the ministers' statements and their votes, it is clear that there is no way in which effective cooperation can exist between the legal advisor and the government, and there is no way to restore the relationship of trust that no longer exists. This situation is seriously damaging the functioning of the government and its ability to implement its policy, and its continued existence is harmful to the State of Israel, the citizens of Israel, and even to the status of the institution of the legal advisor to the government itself.".
""In light of all this, and in light of the fact that the Attorney General showed a disdainful attitude towards the government even in this discussion, when she refrained from participating in it even though she was invited and asked to do so, it is appropriate for the Attorney General not to hold onto the altar and not to impose an additional period of lack of cooperation and uncertainty until the procedures for her replacement are completed. I expect the Attorney General to do what any person of integrity would do in such a situation, and submit her resignation immediately in order to allow the election of an Attorney General without delay.".
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who chaired the government meeting, said at the beginning of the meeting that he views the absence of Baharav Miyara very seriously: "This is further proof of the depth of contempt she has for the government and its members and that she has no answers to the allegations made against her.".
Minister Levin: "She opposes almost everything and offers no alternatives.".
Minister Yaakov Margi responded: "She is the sovereign.".
Levin: "She claims that the government seeks to be above the law. I remember a government that sought to be above the law during a real election period, and I remember an advisor who made this possible in both the maritime agreement, in the appointment of the Chief of Staff, and in the appointment of Meni Mazuz, which even the High Court of Justice invalidated.".
Minister Bezalel Smotrich: "Different people, different times.".
Government Secretary Yossi Fox: "There was not a single decision in the previous government in which it determined that there was a legal impediment. We alone have dozens of such decisions:.
Minister Idit Silman Aksa: "In the previous government she was the government secretary, in ours she is the head of the opposition.".
Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir: "You can't begin to describe how many sticks she put in my wheels. No matter how much I tried to have a conversation with her to fight crime, there was no one to talk to.".
Before the debate began, Bahar Meyara drafted a scathing letter against the government, in which she wrote that her members were acting above the law and made it clear: "We will not be deterred.".
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