Monday, November 16, 2009

Netanyahu decides to put off decision on splitting Attorney General role

(Haaretz).Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that the role of the next Attorney General would not be split, as Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman had proposed several weeks ago.

The proposal raised strong objections by the current attorney general, Menachem Mazuz, and several ministers, who argued that such a split would significantly weaken the official's position in the government and enable ministers to "do what ever they want."

Netanyahu told the selection committee that the final decision regarding the future of the attorney general role will be made with in the next few months, after Mazuz is replaced. The premier stressed that the decision was complex and delicate, and that it would take a while before any changes were implemented.

He added that due to the fact that there would not be any changes, the committee must recommend a candidate for the role who would function according to its current requirements.