On Friday, Israel’s attorney general charged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with breaching the law by failing to disclose a conflict of interest about his current corruption prosecution and participating personally in his administration’s proposal to reorganize the judiciary.

Netanyahu declared on Thursday that he was setting aside all other factors and would do “whatever it takes” to find a solution in the face of escalating opposition to the proposed reforms, which opponents claim will undermine the Supreme Court.

The plans have faced several obstacles, including a letter from attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara, a major rift in Israeli society, tens of thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets, concerns from the business community, and even divisions within the right-wing coalition itself.

After Netanyahu’s address, 200 elite reservist air force pilots announced they would cease their duty on Friday due to the proposed law, intensifying internal military protests, according to Israel’s Channel 12.

Netanyahu called his defense minister to discuss the potential effects of the revamp on the military services, where an increasing number of reservists have indicated they would not serve, following media rumors that Yoav Gallant will ask for the plans to be put on hold on Thursday.

Netanyahu has pressed on, saying in a public speech on Thursday that he will try to enact a key component of the package next week even though he is facing corruption charges, which he denies.

Netanyahu had to remain out of the judicial reform package, according to Baharav-Miara, which Justice Minister Yariv Levin has been handling. On Thursday, the Knesset modified a statute to restrict the conditions under which a prime minister may be dismissed from office.

In the letter made public by the justice ministry spokesperson’s office, she stated that the law was clear: you were not to participate in any efforts to alter the judiciary. Any action you do in violation of this issue, including what you said last night, is criminal.
The letter came after Baharav-Miara had warned Netanyahu to stay away from his coalition’s effort to revamp the judiciary because of what she saw as a conflict of interest resulting from his trials.

An unidentified person close to Netanyahu disputed that the prime minister broke any laws or conflict of interest agreements with his comments and said that it would not affect his prosecution, according to a message released by the ruling Likud party.

The source claimed that the premier had a duty to work toward broad agreement during a national crisis that had repercussions for the nation at home and abroad.

The prior center-right administration chose the attorney general, who far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused of serving as the opposition’s de facto leader.

He stated on Twitter that “Ms. Baharav-Miara is welcome to join a party and run for parliament if she wants to make decisions on behalf of elected authorities.”

In response to the attorney general’s letter, the watchdog organization Movement for Quality Government in Israel will submit a motion for contempt of court and demand that Netanyahu be exposed to legal penalties, such as significant fines and incarceration.

Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist alliance has been pushing for judicial reforms to give the executive branch more control over appointing judges and restrict the Supreme Court’s ability to overturn laws.

According to supporters, the proposal will limit Supreme Court overreach and rebalance the three arms of government. Critics say it would undermine the judiciary, jeopardize civil freedoms, and hurt the economy.

The planned strategy has alarmed the nation’s Western friends and triggered weeks of widespread protests.

Netanyahu traveled to London on Friday to meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The demonstrations followed him.

Several individuals were drumming and waving Israeli flags at 10 Downing Street. “Netanyahu go to jail; you can’t speak for Israel,” several shouted.

The beginning of the meeting between Sunak and Netanyahu, which was scheduled to be filmed by broadcasters, appears to have been postponed.