Attorney-General grants authorities permission to carry out investigation of PMO - report

Following the Attorney General's decision to grant approval, investigators are authorized to proceed with investigative actions against the prime minister.

 Israeli attorney general Gali Baharav Miara at a farewell ceremony for retiring acting Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on October 1, 2024.  (photo credit: OREN BEN HAKOON/FLASH90)
Israeli attorney general Gali Baharav Miara at a farewell ceremony for retiring acting Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on October 1, 2024.
(photo credit: OREN BEN HAKOON/FLASH90)

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara granted investigative authorities permission to investigate allegations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Maariv reported on Friday. 

The authorization was provided within the framework of ongoing investigations into security matters and leaks related to the Prime Minister's Office

The requirement for the Attorney General's approval to investigate allegations against a sitting prime minister stems from Article 17 of the Basic Law: The Government, which stipulates that a criminal investigation against a prime minister may not be opened without the Attorney General's consent. 

Permission from the Attorney General

According to legal procedures, if an investigation progresses in a manner implicating the prime minister in security-related cases, investigators must halt the probe until they obtain permission to continue from the Attorney General. 

Following the Attorney General's decision to grant approval, investigators are authorized to proceed with investigative actions against the prime minister.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on October 28, 2024 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on October 28, 2024 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

The Attorney General's office, along with the police and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), declined to officially comment on the publication.

Currently, investigations are underway into two security-related cases linked to the Prime Minister’s Office. The first involves allegations of classified document leaks, and the second concerns suspected attempts to alter protocols from the start of the war.