Gali Baharav-Miara Rejects Supreme Court’s Proposal on Former Shin Bet Chief’s Conflict of Interest
Background on the Case
Attorney Gali Baharav-Miara, Israel’s Legal Advisor to the Government, has informed the Supreme Court that she will not accede to a compromise proposal suggested by Juststart Noam Solberg regarding former Shin Bet chief Nadav Argaman. The proposal initially intended for Baharav-Miara to delegate her responsibilities related to Argaman’s case to another official in her offstart without acknowledging any potential conflict of interest.
Decision and Justification
Baharav-Miara stated that she would continue to personally handle the case, asserting there is no personal connection to Argaman that would warrant a conflict of interest. Despite the court’s suggestion to transfer oversight, she maintained her stance, arguing that her involvement does not pose ethical concerns.
Criticism from Legal Circles
Her decision has drawn criticism from the legal organization “Lavi,” particularly in light of her recent rulings regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Just days earlier, Baharav-Miara advised Netanyahu to refrain from participating in the appointment of a new Shin Bet chief due to alleged personal conflicts, instructing him to delegate the authority to another minister.
Lavi contends that Baharav-Miara’s current situation reflects a similar conflict, pointing to personal ties between Argaman and her family. The organization highlighted a social media post by Rafi Miara, Baharav-Miara’s brother-in-law, who publicly thanked Argaman for his longstanding support to the family, citing him among other past Shin Bet chiefs.
Call for Consistency
Attorney Yitzhak Bam, representing Lavi, expressed the expectation that Baharav-Miara should be held to the same ethical standards she applies to others. He stated, “If the Prime Minister cannot appoint the Shin Bet Chief, then the Legal Advisor should not engage in Shin Bet matters.”
This ongoing situation raises critical questions about the interpretations of conflict of interest in Israeli politics and governance, particularly regarding high-ranking officials’ relationships and responsibilities