Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'to introduce law making it easier to declare war'

Scandal-plagued prime minister has been accused of leaking proposal in order to focus the public's attention on security issues rather than his own precarious position

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem on 13 August 2017 (AFP/Getty Images)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to advance the passing of a bill which would allow his security cabinet to declare a war without the approval of the rest of the government, reports say.

Israel’s Channel 2 - known for its political coverage - said it had learned that over the last few weeks Mr Netanyahu has been pushing for an amendment to the Basic Law Concerning the Government which would allow him to “declare war or to launch a military operation, without the need for its approval by the government, and in certain cases, without the presence of the entire [Security] Cabinet.”

Channel 2 said the potential changes were raised on the recommendations of a committee created in 2015 to improve the efficacy of the security cabinet after disagreements between members led to operational difficulties in the 2014 Operation Protective Edge in Gaza.

In another incident in 2010, former Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and ex-Mossad director Meir Dagan refused to carry out Mr Netanyahu’s secret orders on the grounds they could lead to war. It is reported the decision from Mr Netanyahu and his defence minister was to carry out a strike on Iran.

Since the two officials raised the objection, the covert operation had to go to the full cabinet for approval, which was not granted.

Justice Ministry officials are reportedly in favour of the amendment, which would speed up the decision making process, prevent operational leaks and restrict debate before any potential military strikes.

Critics have said the move will allow the prime minister to “send soldiers to their deaths” without the approval of the rest of the government, and that any leaked information is an attempt to draw attention away from his current precarious political and legal situation.

The Knesset is expected to discuss the proposal in October, after the summer recess.