Controversial Bill Would Let New Israeli Governments Fire Top Security Officials Within 100 Days

A new bill submitted to the Knesset by MK Zvika Fogel of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party is stirring political controversy, as it seeks to grant incoming Israeli governments sweeping powers to fire top security and public officials within their first 100 days in office.

If passed, the legislation would enable a newly elected government to dismiss figures such as the IDF chief of staff, the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet, the police commissioner, and the attorney general—without the current legal protections that require justification or judicial oversight.

Under the bill, any official who has completed at least two-thirds of their term could be removed without cause. For those still earlier in their terms, a dismissal could proceed under “special circumstances,” such as persistent disagreements with the incoming leadership.

Critics argue the move would severely undermine institutional independence and set a dangerous precedent by politicizing key security and legal positions. Supporters of the proposal say it would give elected governments the flexibility to align top officials with their policies and strategic vision.

The bill also targets legal norms that currently make it difficult to fire high-ranking officials without substantial evidence of misconduct or failure. By removing these checks, opponents warn the law could weaken democratic safeguards and centralize power in the hands of political leadership.

The Ministerial Committee for Legislation is scheduled to review the proposal this coming Sunday. If it gains approval there, the bill will proceed to further debates in the Knesset.

The proposal arrives amid a broader debate in Israel over the balance of power between elected officials and institutional gatekeepers—a tension that has been growing throughout recent judicial reform efforts and public protests.