Attorney General of Israel
| Attorney General | |
|---|---|
| היועץ המשפטי לממשלה Hayoetz Hamishpati Lamemshala | |
 | |
| Appointer | |
| Term length |
|
| Inaugural holder | Ya'akov Shimshon Shapira |
| Formation | 1948 |
| Website | http://www.justice.gov.il |
The attorney general of Israel (Hebrew: היועץ המשפטי לממשלה, Ha-Yo'etz Ha-Mishpati La-Memshala, lit. 'Legal Advisor to the Government') heads the legal system of the executive branch and the public prosecution of the state. The attorney general advises the government on legal matters, represents state authorities in court, advises on the preparation of legal memoranda for the government in general and the justice minister in particular. Likewise they examine and advise upon private member's bills in the Knesset.
Additionally, the attorney general is tasked with protecting the rule of law and, as such, entrusted with protecting the public interest from possible harm by government authorities. It is an independent appointed position, one of the most important and influential in Israeli democracy, and a central institution in the framework of the Israeli legal system. Owing to the common law tradition of the Israeli legal system, the duties of the attorney general are not codified in law and have arisen from precedent and tradition over the years. In February 2022, lawyer Gali Baharav-Miara received unanimous backing from the cabinet to become the first-ever female attorney general.