Gov't coalition seeks Labor approval of splitting AG post

Against the backdrop of Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman's proposal to split the authority currently held by the attorney general into two posts, efforts are underway to reach a compromise that the government's Labor party coalition partners would accept.

Officials, including cabinet secretary Zvi Hauser, have been attempting recently to come to an agreement with the Labor party on changes to the role of the attorney general.

The Labor party is taking a united stand in opposition to Neeman's proposal to split the authority of the attorney general - which would result in one post for a legal adviser to the government and another to be filled by an official who would serve as chief prosecutor. Neeman's plan calls for the legal adviser to have authority over civil and administrative issues, while the prosecutor would deal with criminal matters.

One possible compromise would involve the convening of a steering committee made up of Justice Ministry representatives, academics and public figures that would examine the issue of the job split and make recommendations within a relatively limited period of time. Under this proposed compromise, the authority of an immediate successor to current Attorney General Menachem Mazuz would not be affected by the recommendations.

Thusfar there has been no agreement on the composition of the committee or the committee appointment process, nor is there consensus on the specific time frame during which recommendations would be forthcoming or whether the recommendations would be binding on the government. Sources close to Justice Minister Neeman have said that he intends to present his original plan on the splitting of the AG's authority shortly to the cabinet for approval.

There is no consensus within Likud over Neeman's proposal. Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin (Likud) is expected to come out against Neeman's proposal today and recommend serious consideration of a Kadima party proposal for a more limited modification of the attorney general's role. The Kadima plan, which was drafted by MK Yoel Hasson along with party chairwoman Tzipi Livni, would provide for the appointment of a special prosecutor for cases involving elected officials and government corruption.

Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon (Labor) has made it clear to Neeman that if the authority of the attorney general post is split, Labor would leave the government coalition. According to Simhon, Neeman replied that if Labor left the government, the party would be replaced by a larger Knesset contingent.

Attorney General Mazuz is expected to publicly condemn Neeman's plan, which he has already criticize - and to do so in a spirit similar to State Prosecutor Moshe Lador, who recently wrote a letter directly to Neeman opposing the justice minister's proposal.