Sun Mar 23 19:39:52 UTC 2025: ## Netanyahu Government Votes No Confidence in Attorney General, Sparking Democracy Protests
**JERUSALEM** – Israel’s cabinet has passed a vote of no confidence against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, escalating a power struggle between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the country’s judicial system. The move, described by critics as an attempt to undermine judicial checks on the government, follows the controversial dismissal of the Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar, just two days prior.
Baharav-Miara, Israel’s top legal official, was accused of “inappropriate behavior” and irreconcilable differences with the government. She vehemently denied these accusations, stating the vote aimed to grant the government “limitless power” and weaken the judicial branch. The vote does not automatically remove her; a committee will review the case before a final decision, which could still be challenged in the Supreme Court.
The actions against both Baharav-Miara and Bar have ignited massive protests, with thousands taking to the streets to denounce what they see as a threat to Israeli democracy. Critics claim the dismissals target individuals critical of Netanyahu’s government and its handling of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, the deadliest day in Israel’s history. They allege Netanyahu’s ongoing bribery trial also plays a role in the dismissals.
Bar, in a letter, suggested his removal aimed to obstruct investigations into the events leading up to the Hamas attack. A recent Shin Bet report criticized both the agency’s failures and Netanyahu’s role in creating conditions that facilitated the attack. Netanyahu’s office has dismissed these criticisms as “fake news.” The prime minister maintains the right to appoint the head of Shin Bet. The situation remains highly volatile, with the future of both the attorney general and the delicate balance of power in Israel hanging in the balance.
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