A revised bill introduced by Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chairman Simcha Rothman would make it significantly harder to investigate and indict senior public officials, including the prime minister, cabinet ministers, lawmakers, and judges. Under the proposal, the attorney general would need approval from a district court before opening a criminal investigation and additional authorization from a special three member committee before filing an indictment.

The special committee would include a retired judge selected by the Supreme Court and two private criminal defense lawyers, one chosen by the attorney general and one by the Knesset State Control Committee. Legal advisers and senior justice officials warned that the measure would create a two tiered justice system, shielding elected officials from standard prosecutorial procedures and potentially discouraging corruption cases.

Rothman defended the bill as necessary oversight to ensure elected officials can perform their duties without fear of politically motivated prosecutions. Opposition lawmakers argued the move is designed to weaken anti corruption safeguards and protect senior figures from accountability, particularly as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to stand trial on corruption charges.

The legislation is part of a broader push by the governing coalition to advance contentious judicial changes ahead of possible early elections, intensifying clashes between lawmakers and Israel's legal establishment.