Justice Reform: Police Internal Investigations Bill Advances to Second and Third Readings

The Knesset began debating this evening, Wednesday, the bill by Likud MK Moshe Saada on the Police Internal Investigations Department, or Machash, which is set to come to a vote in its second and third readings. The purpose of the bill is to remove Machash from the State Attorney’s Office and place it under the Justice Minister.

According to the proposal, Machash would be detached from the State Attorney’s Office and transferred to the Justice Ministry. In addition, the head of the unit would be appointed by the Justice Minister, making the appointment political.

During the debate, Saada said, “Today we are carrying out a reform. I promised to make a correction, and I delivered. There will no longer be criminals in the service of the law and people above the law. Everyone will be equal before the law.” He later attacked senior officials in the justice system, saying, “Machash of today is Gali’s militia (Baharav-Miara, the attorney general). This system persecutes and tramples, and everything is permitted. All those criminals, Gali, Eisman, Gali’s deputy, Gil Limon, all of them will be investigated in the new Machash.” Saada added, “What is most important in this law is that public trust in the justice system will be restored. This is a day of good news for the people of Israel.”

On the other hand, MK Yoav Segalovich of Yesh Atid said during the debate, “A foolish, vindictive law, and there is nothing in it except a desire to stick a finger in the eye.”