Israel's PM Allowed Meeting with Police Chief, But Barred from Election Integrity Talks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Danny Levi to discuss election integrity, despite opposition from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. The meeting was called after Commissioner Levi initially refused to meet with Minister Ben-Gvir. Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the "Yashar" party, had appealed to the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Noam Sohlberg, to cancel the gathering.

While the Attorney General expressed reservations, stating that such a meeting had no known precedent and that election integrity falls under the purview of the Elections Committee, Justice Sohlberg ultimately ruled that the meeting could proceed. However, Sohlberg explicitly prohibited Netanyahu from discussing election integrity, emphasizing that this authority rests solely with the Elections Committee. He clarified that the Prime Minister and the National Security Minister are permitted to meet with the Police Commissioner on general public order matters and to receive updates on police preparedness, but they cannot direct police actions concerning election integrity.

The "Yashar" party criticized the meeting, alleging it was an attempt by Netanyahu, who is a candidate himself, to create a false impression of election interference due to fears of losing. Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of attempting to sabotage the elections and urged public officials to remain loyal to the state rather than to the Prime Minister.

Minister Ben-Gvir defended the meeting, calling it a routine procedure for ministers to review police preparedness, citing past practices. He argued that such discussions are a legitimate part of the political leadership's responsibility and criticized opposition leaders for hypocrisy. Ben-Gvir also attacked the Attorney General, accusing her of attempting to undermine democracy and stating that she would be held responsible if any issues arose on election day due to a lack of oversight.

The Likud party stated that the meeting was a continuation of a security discussion held with all security chiefs due to dramatic security threats, not specifically about election integrity, and invited the Elections Committee to send a representative.