Election Committee Head Rules Against Attorney General on PM's Call with Police Chief
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Noam Sohlberg, ruled Sunday against the Attorney General, allowing Prime Minister Netanyahu to speak with the Police Commissioner. The discussion, intended to cover security preparations for election day amidst threats, was challenged by a "Voters in Israel" petition. Sohlberg stated there was insufficient evidence of disruption, while clarifying that election integrity remains under the committee's sole authority.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Justice Noam Sohlberg rejected a petition to prevent PM Netanyahu from speaking with the Police Commissioner.
- The discussion is for security preparations amid threats, not election integrity, the PM stated.
- The ruling contradicts the Attorney General's view that such a meeting was inappropriate.
- Sohlberg found no sufficient evidence that the call would disrupt the elections.
- Election integrity and management remain solely under the Central Elections Committee's authority.
The Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, on Sunday rejected a petition by the "Voters in Israel" organization that sought to prevent Prime Minister Netanyahu from holding a phone discussion with the Police Commissioner. The petition argued against the Police Commissioner's participation in a phone call with Netanyahu and National Security Minister Ben Gvir.
Sohlberg's decision contradicts the position of the Attorney General for the Government, who had argued in a brief statement that such a phone discussion was inappropriate. The Prime Minister's office stated that the call was intended to receive an update from the Police Commissioner regarding the police's security preparations for election day, given threats and warnings. Sohlberg noted that the Prime Minister's declaration that the meeting was unrelated to election integrity or his responsibility for security matters was not invalidated by its proximity to the elections.
The Attorney General had previously clarified that the Israel Police coordinates with the Central Elections Committee chairman on election management and public order during elections, and that political figures or candidates should not interfere. Therefore, she argued, a meeting concerning election management or matters within the committee chairman's authority should not take place.
Sohlberg stated that he found no sufficient evidence to support the claim that the discussion would disrupt the elections. He added that while the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Security are permitted to meet with the Police Commissioner on general public order matters and request updates on police preparations, the authority to instruct on election integrity, preparations, or police activity related to elections rests solely with the Central Elections Committee. He emphasized that all parties are expected to strictly adhere to their authorities in election matters.
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