Israeli attorney general calls on Netanyahu to reconsider National Security Minister Ben Gvir’s position

All Israel News Staff | November 15, 2024

Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and Justice Minister Yariv Levin at a farewell ceremony for retiring acting Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, October 1, 2024. (Photo: Oren Ben Hakoon/POOL)

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider the tenure of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, the Attorney General’s office announced on Thursday evening

“The combination of the alleged improper interventions in police activities and the dependency of police officers on the minister for their advancement undermines the ability to ensure that the police act in loyalty to the public, rather than to the political echelon,” the statement read.

On Friday morning, the state attorney’s office asked that the High Court of Justice receive an update on the matter by Dec. 14.

“We will oppose this, demand an immediate interim order, and request a hearing on the petition as soon as possible,” said State Attorney Daniel Haklai.

In response to Baharav-Miara’s request on Thursday, Ben Gvir called on Netanyahu to reconsider Baharav-Miara’s tenure as attorney-general.

In response to Baharav-Miara’s request, Ben Gvir urged Netanyahu “to consider her dismissal.”

“The combination of the alleged improper interventions in the government’s policy and the ministers’ dependence on the Attorney-General for their positions undermines the ability to ensure that the government acts in loyalty to the public rather than to the legal echelon,” Ben Gvir said in the statement.

“This evening, the Attorney-General has begun an attempt to overthrow an elected government in Israel, and I call on the Prime Minister to consider her dismissal.”

The conflict between the Baharav-Miara and Ben Gvir is long-standing.

In 2022, Baharav-Miara opposed legislation proposed by the incoming Netanyahu government to expand the authority of then-National Security Minister-designate Ben Gvir over the Israel Police. She argued that such a law would effectively treat the national police force as a subordinate arm of the military under ministerial control.”

In April 2023, the attorney general opposed the decision to create a national guard under Ben Gvir due to a “legal impediment” to establishing the force.

In May, Baharav-Miara blocked Ben Gvir from dismissing Police Chief Kobi Shabtai, accusing him of making this highly irregular move out of “ulterior motives.”

“The proximity of the timing raises serious concerns that under the guise of supposedly principled claims against the commissioner, you are actually seeking to ‘punish’ him for seeking to prevent you from improperly interfering in the work of the police, all while you are acting, apparently, contrary to the express decision of the High Court of Justice,” the attorney general wrote at the time.