Israeli National Security Minister Backs Prisons Chief Facing Indictment

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has declared his full support for Prisons Commissioner Kobie Yaacobi, following the State Prosecutor's Office's decision to indict Yaacobi on charges of obstruction of justice and breach of trust. Ben-Gvir announced that he would insist Yaacobi remain in his post even if an indictment is filed, until a final verdict is reached.

Ben-Gvir sharply criticized the prosecution, calling Yaacobi a "victim of persecution" by the Attorney General and the State Prosecutor's Office. He stated that Yaacobi is the "best Prisons Commissioner in history" and there is no reason for him to leave his position. The decision to indict Yaacobi came after a pre-indictment hearing held since April, with the indictment expected in the coming weeks.

The core of the case involves suspicions that Yaacobi was privy to intelligence regarding a covert investigation into the former commander of the Judean and Samarian District police, Superintendent Avi Shai Moalem. Yaacobi allegedly warned Moalem about the ongoing investigation in real-time.

Yaacobi vehemently denies the allegations and has raised serious claims about flaws in the investigation by the Police Internal Investigations Department. He reportedly presented evidence suggesting an intimate relationship between a detective in that department and a key witness in his case. Despite these claims, the prosecution maintains they do not preclude filing the indictment.

Investigations into Yaacobi's associates, Superintendent Alona Shoshan and Deputy Superintendent Lior Abudraham, are nearing completion, with final decisions expected soon. Ben-Gvir's stance sets up a potential constitutional and political clash with the Attorney General and past Supreme Court rulings, which have typically required the suspension or dismissal of senior public officials upon indictment.