Israel - July 2026

On 15 July, the Knesset passed legislation that curtails the authority of the Attorney General (AG), whose independent role is regarded as an important safeguard for the rule of law and a key check on executive power. The new law will allow government and individual ministries, with limited exceptions, to disregard the AG’s legal opinions, substantially weakening their binding force in most non-criminal matters. It also removes the AG’s exclusive authority to determine whether the government may obtain separate legal representation in court. In addition, the law requires government, within 30 days of its entry into force, to establish new procedures for appointing the AG, potentially opening the door to changes in the appointment and removal framework. Observers argue that the legislation weakens oversight of the executive and undermines checks and balances. The law is set to enter into force on 1 January 2027. This follows an earlier attempt by government to dismiss the sitting AG, annulled by the High Court in December 2025.

Sources: The Times of Israel, The Israel Democracy Institute (1), The Jerusalem Post (1), The Israel Democracy Institute (2), The Jerusalem Post (2)