Eisenkot Asks AG to Cancel Netanyahu's Meeting with Police Chief

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yisrael! party, has appealed to the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Election Committee to cancel a meeting scheduled between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Commissioner of Police, Danny Levy. The meeting, concerning police preparations for the upcoming election day, was announced by Netanyahu on Sunday, just two days before the polls open. Eisenkot's party claims the meeting constitutes direct interference with the integrity of the elections and an attempt by Netanyahu to sabotage them.

The Likud party, in response, denied the allegations, stating the discussion was about security threats and not election integrity. They also invited the Election Committee chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, to send a representative to the meeting. Sohlberg had set a deadline of 10:30 AM for responses to the appeal.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated that there is no justification for the meeting, emphasizing that the Israel Police operates under the law and the guidance of the Central Election Committee chairman. She noted that it is unknown if such a meeting has ever occurred previously, contradicting claims by Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir that past ministers held similar meetings.

Ben-Gvir defended the meeting as routine, stating it was a security review and that it is the minister's duty to ask questions to prevent harm. He asserted that a meeting between the Prime Minister, the Minister of National Security, and the Police Commissioner is a legitimate part of the political leadership's responsibility.

Eisenkot publicly denounced Netanyahu's action on social media, calling it a dangerous intervention and a blatant violation of proper procedure. The appeal filed by Eisenkot's lawyer, Uri Hillel, also noted that Minister Ben-Gvir would be present at the meeting. Meanwhile, the Shin Bet security service announced it would provide security for Eisenkot, along with Yair Golan and Ofer Winter, through a private company supervised by a Shin Bet unit.