The new Israeli Government has moved quickly to end a dispute which held up the appointment of the nation’s chief law officer for 18 months.
Approval has now been given for Acting State Attorney, Amit Aisman (pictured) to fill the role permanently, with Minister for Justice, Gideon Sa’ar supporting the nomination.
Mr Aisman was initially approved in November 2020 by a committee that is supposed to deal with such issues, and by the then Minister for Justice, Avi Nissenkorn.
The committee praised Mr Aisman’s service as Haifa District Attorney and in multiple roles as Acting Deputy State Attorney, as well as for his decades of experience.
However, former Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu blocked the appointment from becoming permanent.
Initially, Mr Netanyahu sought to cancel the appointment altogether and it was only after a variety of legal fights that Mr Aisman was able to receive the role in an acting capacity.
His temporary term was due to run out in July.
Sources claimed Mr Netanyahu did not want Mr Aisman, who was part of the prosecution establishment, and preferred someone from the outside who he could count on to potentially give him a lenient plea deal in his public corruption trial, should the case go against him.
In addition to potentially handling such issues with Mr Netanyahu, Mr Aisman has could also be involved in other sensitive political issues related to Shas Party head, Arye Deri; United Torah Judaism Member of the Knesset, Ya’acov Litzman; and others.
There has been no permanent State Attorney since December 2019 when Shai Nitzan stepped down.
Jerusalem, 30 June 2021
