Committee Advances Bills To Pause Netanyahu Trial, Block Bennett

Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation advanced two controversial bills: one would give the Knesset House Committee the power to suspend criminal proceedings against a prime minister or any minister after indictment, and the other would bar new parties formed by a leader whose previous party dissolved within seven years from using campaign funds until that party’s debts are repaid. The suspension measure was initiated by Otzma Yehudit MK Limor Son Har‑Melech and is reported to have backing from Justice Minister Yariv Levin; it is widely seen as aimed at pausing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing trial. Attorney General Gali Baharav‑Miara and the Justice Ministry’s legal advisory have strongly condemned the proposal as unconstitutional and a dangerous encroachment on judicial independence. The debt‑repayment bill, sponsored by Likud MK Avichai Boaron, is broadly viewed as targeting former prime minister Naftali Bennett, whose prior parties reportedly carry millions of shekels in debt; Bennett called the measure personal and anti‑democratic. Both bills still require Knesset votes and are expected to face legal and political challenges, with critics including Benny Gantz warning against retroactive, targeted legislation.