Netanyahu: Shaked plan to split attorney-general’s job is dangerous

Netanyahu said the proposal is very risky, in that “the idea to split the attorney-general’s job can harm his ability to fully fulfill his job.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Updated: AUGUST 7, 2015 01:48
Ayelet Shaked (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Ayelet Shaked
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Taking away the attorney- general’s responsibility for prosecution endangers Israeli democracy, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday, in response to a proposal by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked.
Shaked said earlier this week that she is considering making the attorney-general’s sole job be a legal adviser to the government – removing the post’s authority over the State Attorney’s Office.
Netanyahu said the proposal is very risky, since “the idea to split the attorney-general’s job can harm his ability to fully fulfill his job.”
“The attorney-general has a critical job in the system of checks and balances, which is one of the foundations of Israeli democracy,” he added.
“There is a danger that splitting the job will decrease the broad view of the system that the attorney-general currently has and is necessary for him to do his job in the best way possible.”
The proposal to divide the attorney-general’s responsibilities fits with Shaked’s position that legal advisers have an outsize influence on the government and prevent ministers from putting forward important policies.
The candidates for the next attorney-general will have to be qualified for both aspects of the job, but will have to reach an understanding with Shaked that she or he will work on the bill to split its responsibilities.