Israeli justice minister advances anti-Netanyahu legislation

Justice Minister Gideon Saar is set to submit Nov. 13 to the ministerial committee for legislation a bill limiting the term of office of the prime minister to eight years only. In Israeli politics, eight years represent two terms in office. If approved by the committee, the bill will be transferred to the Knesset for a vote.

Still, even before being presented to the committee, the new legislation is stirring up controversy both in the Knesset and the political system. Saar, currently head of the New Hope party and former senior Likud member, has been pushing this bill for several months now. If approved by the Knesset, the bill won’t be applied retroactively. In other words, it won’t prevent former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from running again for office. Still, together with a second bill, also pushed by Saar, it is targeting Netanyahu’s image as a leader refusing to let go of power.

The second piece of new legislation prevents anyone accused of a felony from receiving the president’s mandate to form a new government and from heading one. Contrary to the eight-year limitation proposal, expected to go through and be enacted, this second bill, generally considered far more radical, is already facing difficulties. The reason for that is primarily since it targets more clearly Netanyahu, who is currently on trial for corruption and breach of trust. Saar wants this law to go into effect as soon as the next election.

As of now, the second law lacks the 61 coalition votes it needs to approve it as a Basic Law. Its opponents (within the coalition) include Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, who is relatively close to Netanyahu, and Knesset member Michael Biton of Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has yet to make his position known, though he has in the past opposed any personal legislation targeting Netanyahu.