During the last few weeks Israel’s judicial system has been rocked by the decision of employees in the Public Prosecution Office to strike in an attempt to prevent the publication of a report detailing flaws in the conduct of the Prosecution.

The Attorney General’s Office yields enormous power and has the authority to decide whether to open an investigation against individuals.

In the past the State Prosecution has enjoyed a high level of support from the general public, however recent cases have undermined the public’s trust in the system.

The Legal Forum for Israel recognized the need to form an objective and external commission that will oversee and examine the Attorney General office’s conduct and since 2011 has been acting to establish a Regulatory Body through bill proposals, meetings with the Justice Ministry and utilizing the media to raise public awareness.

From the start, the establishment of the Regulatory Body was met with fierce opposition from the State Prosecution Office which refused to cooperate.

Therefore, the Legal Forum has been acting to anchor the Regulatory Body’s authority through legislation and at present a governmental bill proposal to regulate the commission.

The report addresses two cases with great public interest and is due to expose allegedly problematic conduct by the Prosecution’s attorneys, and cases of personal corruption which paint the State Prosecution in a dark light. Therefore the Prosecution filed a petition to prevent the publication of the report and have gone on strike.

The Legal Forum is considering filing an amicus brief in order to represent the public’s interest and transparency in the judicial system.

The Legal Forum has monitored the Regulatory Body since its establishment and continues to do so until it is legislated by law. In addition the Forum is acting to correct the faults highlighted in the report.

The Forum believes that the authority charged with maintaining sound governance must act at the highest standard and exemplify transparency and exemplary conduct in the public eye.

The Forum envisions the values of justice and transparency which are intertwined, and believes that increasing transparency in the judicial system and governmental authorities will lead to true justice.