In this episode of “Basic Law,” host Aylana Meisel, executive director of the Israel Law & Liberty Forum, sits down with returning guest Jacob Ben-Shemesh, constitutional law scholar and prominent Israeli media commentator, to unpack the unprecedented power struggle between Israel’s government and its top security and legal officials.
The episode covers the attempted firing—and eventual resignation—of Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, exploring why Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu sought his removal and how Bar’s refusal to step down triggered a constitutional crisis that reached the Israeli Supreme Court. Ben-Shemesh explains why the government’s right to appoint (and dismiss) its security chiefs is foundational to democratic control, as well as why the court’s intervention is unprecedented and potentially dangerous.
The conversation also explores a new government proposal to split the powers of Israel’s Attorney General, whose dual role as both legal advisor and chief prosecutor has led to deep conflicts of interest, especially amid Netanyahu’s own legal battles.
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The Israel Law & Liberty Forum is proud to partner with JNS to offer a platform for conservative and classical liberal legal thought from within Israel. Any opinions stated are those of the speaker and not meant to represent the positions of the forum or JNS. The forum is an organization that fosters thoughtful conversation and debate on key issues in Israeli law and democracy. The forum takes no official position regarding any specific policy issue, nor does it advance specific policies.