Israel’s Attorney General today accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of breaking the law, ignoring conflicts of interest in his ongoing corruption trial, and of being directly involved in his government’s judicial reform plan.

Faced with growing protests against proposed changes that would weaken the Supreme Court, Netanyahu said Thursday he was setting aside all other considerations and would do “whatever it takes” to find a solution.

Attorney General Ghali Baharav-Miar’s letter heightened the backlash against his plans, which have deeply divided Israeli society, brought tens of thousands of protesters to the streets, and sparked dismay in the business establishment and rifts within the centre-right coalition itself.

On Thursday, following media reports that Defense Minister Yoav Gallad would seek a halt to the reform, Netanyahu called his minister, who briefed the prime minister on the potential impact of the reform on the military, where a growing number of reservists said they were not going to serve.

But Netanyahu, who faces allegations of corruption that he denies, remained unfazed, saying in a televised speech Thursday that he would try to pass a key part of the reform package next week.

The Knesset on Thursday amended the law to limit the circumstances in which the prime minister can be removed from office, but Baharav-Miara said Netanyahu should not be part of the judicial reform package being handled by Justice Minister Yariv Levin.

“The legal situation is clear: any involvement in initiatives to change the judiciary must be avoided,” he wrote. “Your statement yesterday and any of your actions that violate this issue are illegal,” Baharav-Miara said.

The letter follows earlier warnings by Baharawa-Miara Netanyahu that he should not interfere with his coalition’s judicial reform efforts due to conflicts of interest.

In a message released by the ruling Likud party, an unnamed source close to Netanyahu denied that the prime minister had violated any conflict of interest laws or agreements.

The same source said it was within the prime minister’s purview to try to reach a broad consensus in a time of national crisis.

Far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused the attorney general appointed by the previous centre-right government of being the de facto leader of the opposition.

“If Baharav-Miara wants to make decisions on behalf of elected officials, she can form a party and run for parliament,” he tweeted.

The Quality Government Movement in Israel said it would file a contempt suit and seek sanctions against Netanyahu as required by law, including heavy fines and jail time.

Netanyahu’s coalition is pushing for changes to the judiciary that would give the government the power to influence the choice of judges and limit the power of the Supreme Court.

Supporters of the plan say it will curb the excesses of the Supreme Court and restore balance. His critics say it will weaken the courts, endanger civil liberties and hurt the economy.

The proposed plan led to weeks of protests across the country and alarmed the country’s Western allies.

The protests followed Netanyahu to London today, where he met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Hundreds of people gathered outside 10 Downing Street in London, waving Israeli flags and beating drums. “Netanyahu, go to jail, you can’t speak for Israel,” some of them shouted.

Source: APE-MPE, Reuters.