Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu broke the law when he said he would become personally involved in a judicial overhaul plan, the country's attorney general said on Friday.
Despite a wave of protests against the so-called judicial reforms, Mr Netanyahu on Thursday said he would do "anything it takes" to restore unity in the country.
But Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara disagreed in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister.
"The legal situation is clear: you must refrain from any involvement in initiatives to change the judiciary, including the makeup of the committee for the appointment of judges, as such activity is a conflict of interest," she said.
"Your statement last night and any action you take in violation of this matter is illegal and tainted by a conflict of interest."
Police fired water cannon at demonstrators blocking a motorway in Tel Aviv on Thursday. So far, 92 people have been arrested during the demonstrations.
Mr Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges which he denies.
He also said his hands were tied regarding legislation passed by parliament limiting the circumstances surrounding the removal of a prime minister.
The letter followed Ms Baharav-Miara's earlier warnings that Mr Netanyahu must stay out of his coalition's push for a judicial overhaul because of what she deemed a conflict of interest arising from his trial.
In a message distributed by the ruling Likud party, an unnamed source close to Mr Netanyahu denied the Prime Minister had broken any laws or conflict-of-interest agreements in his statement and said it had no repercussions on his personal affairs.
The source said it was necessary for Mr Netanyahu to try to reach a wide consensus during a time of national crisis that carried implications on the country both domestically and abroad.
Mr Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition has been pursuing changes to the judiciary that would give the government sway in choosing judges and limit the Supreme Court's power to strike down laws.
Proponents say the plan would rein in Supreme Court overreach and restore balance between the branches of government.
Critics say it would weaken the courts, endanger civil liberties and harm the economy.
The proposed plan has sparked weeks of nationwide protests and drawn concern among the country's western allies.
Mr Netanyahu was greeted by shouting and whistling from hundreds of protesters outside No 10 Downing Street on Friday, as opposition to his judicial proposals followed him to London.
Mr Netanyahu shook hands with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the steps of No 10 and is also due to meet Britain's Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
Protesters could be heard shouting "Netanyahu go to jail, you can't speak for Israel", surrounded by police and metal barricades.
The demonstrations were organised by British Jews and Israelis under the banner "Defend Against Democracy" to voice opposition against the judicial reforms. Dozens of people waved Israeli flags and banged drums.
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Company%C2%A0profile
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Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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Mobile phone packages comparison
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If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
The%20specs
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
