Limonarchy, Part One: Who Are You, Gil Limon?

Gil Limon is considered one of the most influential figures in Israel’s judicial system, even though many in the public do not know his name. In recent years, he has been involved in a series of the most sensitive legal and public issues, and, according to his critics, his influence went far beyond providing legal advice and also extended to shaping policy and making decisions at the political level.

Limon’s path began with legal counsel in Judea and Samaria, and afterward he became one of the closest people to the former legal adviser to the government, Avichai Mandelblit. After years alongside him, he was appointed Deputy Legal Adviser to the Government—a role considered one of the highest-ranking and most influential positions in the judicial system.

One of the central issues for which criticism is leveled concerns the procedure for his appointment to the position. Critics of the appointment point out that Mandelblit, who had been Limon’s direct supervisor for years, also headed the search committee that selected him for the role. MK Avichai Buaron claims that “when Mandelblit sits at the head of Gil Limon’s search committee, let’s put it this way, he works hard to find him.” According to him, “Mandelblit sits at the head of the search committee for a position that is responsible for all conflicts of interest.”

Attorney Yitzhak B’em also casts doubt on the selection process and argues that “without the connection between Gil Limon and Mandelblit, it would have been difficult for him to be chosen for the position.”

One of the first points of scrutiny, according to Limon’s critics, in which his legal worldview was expressed, came to the fore in the Amona affair and in the framework regarding the assets of the Custodians of Absentee Property. According to them, the legal counsel did not limit itself to providing professional opinions, but instead directly influenced the shaping of policy and the boundaries of the government’s discretion.

Limon was also involved in cases involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Among other things, his involvement is being examined in the hearing procedures, in the formulation of indictments, and in additional issues that related to the management of the cases—issues that, according to his critics, made him one of the most significant figures in the law enforcement system.

MK Avichai Buaron also describes a conversation he held with Limon after Mandelblit entered the position of legal adviser to the government. “Gil Limon called and told me: ‘Mandelblit is not more than the government secretary anymore; he is the legal adviser to the government, and we can’t be available and conduct dialogue with people from the ranks. We ask not to call anymore’,” he says.

Later, he describes an additional confrontation between them. “Gil Limon told me: ‘Are you threatening me?’ I told him: ‘I’m not threatening you; it’s cause and effect.’ He deleted the message,” Buaron claims.

Attorney Eran Ben Ari delivers sharp criticism of Limon and says: “My father warned me—what you see is not what is really inside; he has an agenda and it’s not in the right direction.” According to him, “this is a person who will look seven times before you believe what comes out of his mouth.”

Ben Ari adds that “the judicial system must not lose the public’s trust. They knew that and it didn’t matter to them,” and he further claims that “Gil Limon spun from power and took it to bizarre places.”

Alongside the allegations brought against him, the discussion surrounding Gil Limon reflects a broader dispute regarding the role of legal counsel in Israel, the limits of its authority, and the relationship between the legal echelon and the elected government.