In a dramatic escalation of the constitutional standoff between Israel’s executive and judicial branches, Justice Minister Yariv Levin on Tuesday ordered the locks changed on the Tel Aviv office traditionally used by the Attorney General, effectively barring Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and her staff from entering.
The Justice Ministry confirmed the move, with a spokesperson stating, “The office is the minister’s—not Attorney Baharav-Miara’s.” The statement further accused Baharav-Miara of “unauthorized use” of the space, claiming her continued presence was inappropriate given that the government has voted to remove her from office.
However, Baharav-Miara’s dismissal has been frozen by an interim High Court ruling, pending a final decision on several petitions challenging the legality of her removal. The changing of the locks appears to be a direct violation of that court order.
Legal and Political Outrage Mounts
The move sparked an immediate backlash from legal officials, opposition politicians, and civil society organizations.
Amit Becher, head of the Israel Bar Association, called for Levin’s arrest, saying:
“A justice minister who violates court decisions is an existential threat to the state... His place is behind bars.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the move during wartime, saying:
“While hostages are dying in Gaza and the IDF is fighting, the Justice Minister acts like a criminal, defying clear court orders.”
MK Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats party, called the move “a violation of a High Court order”, while his colleague MK Gilad Kariv described it as a “violent attack on the judiciary”.
Demands for Investigation and Legal Accountability
The Movement for Quality Government in Israel issued a scathing statement demanding that police immediately launch a criminal investigation into Levin and his staff for potential offenses, including abuse of authority and impairing a public official’s ability to perform her duties.
“This is a violent and unlawful act. The public deserves answers on who authorized it and why,” the statement read.
A Precedent-Breaking Showdown
The Tel Aviv office, long used by previous attorneys general—including Baharav-Miara’s predecessor Avichai Mandelblit—has never before been subject to such a dispute. Levin’s assertion that the space belongs solely to the minister is contradicted by decades of precedent, which saw it used by attorneys general regardless of their relationship with the justice minister.
The move follows a unanimous government vote last week to remove Baharav-Miara, led by Levin, despite legal requirements for such a dismissal to be reviewed by the professional search committee that recommended her appointment. That committee currently lacks functioning members, prompting Levin to bypass the legal process and push for a vote.
In a letter to Baharav-Miara after the hearing, Levin wrote:
“You should refrain from an attempt, which will not succeed, to impose yourself on a government that does not trust you.”
Background: Government vs. Judiciary
Levin’s efforts to remove Baharav-Miara date back to March 2025, when he accused her of “inappropriate conduct” and creating a breakdown in cooperation with the government. Critics, however, say the move is politically motivated—especially in light of her involvement in legal proceedings against Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The ongoing clash between the government and judiciary is seen by many as part of a broader constitutional crisis in Israel, with serious implications for judicial independence, rule of law, and public trust in democratic institutions.
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