Former Adviser to Itamar Ben-Gvir Details Legal Battles and Internal Right-Wing Conflicts Over Judicial Reform
Attorney David Bavli, who recently served as legislative adviser to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, offers a rare insider perspective on the intense struggles within the current Israeli government. In an interview with Channel 7's podcast, Bavli describes a daily battle against the government legal advisory system and harshly criticizes the judicial reform efforts, which he believes have "completely collapsed." He reveals that internal disputes within the right-wing camp were often more challenging than confrontations with the opposition.
Bavli, a relatively young lawyer, explains that he joined Ben-Gvir’s inner circle early in the term somewhat unexpectedly. He shares a personal journey of strengthening his religious observance amid personal crises. According to Bavli, the National Security Ministry underwent a dramatic transformation under Ben-Gvir, evolving from a feared institution to one of the most sought-after ministries due to the minister’s consistent challenges to entrenched power centers.
He characterizes his work as a "daily war of attrition" against the legal advisory apparatus and the High Court petition department, noting that many ministers are unaware of petitions filed against them or official responses issued in their name. Bavli highlights efforts to influence legal arguments, such as distinguishing terrorists from ordinary prisoners in detention conditions, and recounts how they forced changes in the state's position and embarrassed the High Court department during hearings.
Despite obstacles, including the government legal adviser blocking legislation, Bavli notes that Otzma Yehudit advanced significant laws through private bills and parliamentary cooperation. These include laws on protection rackets, the death penalty for terrorists, harsher sentences for minor terrorists, and stricter detention conditions, which he calls unprecedented achievements for a young party.
Bavli urges young right-wing activists to join ministerial offices and decision-making centers, emphasizing the need for a combination of professionalism and ideology to counter bureaucratic dominance. He also defends Ben-Gvir’s public image as misunderstood and shaped by media bias, describing the minister as his personal mentor.
Regarding the judicial reform, Bavli argues it failed because efforts focused on ideological battles rather than advancing right-wing policies that would clearly demonstrate the judiciary’s limitations to the public. He believes that if security-related laws had been prioritized, public understanding of the conflict with the judicial system would have been stronger. He also reveals that some of the toughest fights occurred within the right-wing camp itself, with ideological disagreements over key legislation.
In conclusion, Bavli stresses that the judicial system struggle is not theoretical but directly impacts government policy implementation. He is convinced that the changes made at the National Security Ministry prove that systemic reform is possible with sufficient determination from elected officials.
