Netanyahu Summons Police Chief, Ben-Gvir for Election Integrity Talks Amid Controversy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has summoned Police Commissioner Dany Levy for a phone discussion on "election integrity" scheduled for Sunday, which will also include National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The meeting has drawn criticism, with constitutional law experts suggesting it may be unlawful as the responsibility for election integrity lies with the Chairman of the Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, not the Prime Minister. Notably, Opposition leader Yair Lapid and representatives from the Elections Committee were not invited.

The "Yisrael Beiteinu" party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, announced it had petitioned the Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and the Elections Committee to immediately cancel the meeting. The Attorney General's office stated its support for canceling the discussion, deeming it inappropriate. Contrary to the Prime Minister's office's claim that such meetings are standard before elections, Baharav-Miara noted no record of similar past meetings.

Eisenkot strongly criticized Netanyahu, stating that the Prime Minister is not responsible for election integrity and the Police Commissioner is not subordinate to him on this matter. He expressed concern that the meeting is an attempt to create a false narrative of election interference to undermine public trust in the results, suggesting Netanyahu fears losing the election and is pressuring public officials for political gain. Eisenkot urged Netanyahu to cease all involvement in the election process, warning against any attempt to harm election integrity.

Minister Ben-Gvir defended the meeting, calling it a routine procedure for the National Security Minister to review police preparations for elections, similar to actions taken by previous ministers. He asserted that discussions between the Prime Minister, National Security Minister, and Police Commissioner are legitimate and part of the political leadership's responsibility.

Meanwhile, the Likud party stated the meeting with the Police Commissioner was a follow-up to a security discussion with defense officials regarding threats, not election integrity, and invited Judge Sohlberg to send a representative. Netanyahu's attorney, Ilan Bombach, later informed Sohlberg that the discussion was prompted by "dramatic and serious security warnings" from intelligence agencies about terrorist threats aimed at disrupting or influencing the elections. Bombach clarified that the meeting with Levy would be a phone call to receive an updated security readiness report, and Sohlberg was invited to send a representative.