Israeli Supreme Court Reviews Dismissal of Competition Authority Chief Amid Legal Battle

The Israeli Supreme Court is set to hold a dramatic hearing today regarding the potential dismissal of Michal Cohen, the head of the Competition Authority. The hearing will be conducted by an expanded panel of five justices following an unusual request by the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, who in July 2025 sought a "further hearing" to overturn a previous court ruling. That earlier ruling mandated the Civil Service Commissioner to convene an appointments committee to consider the dismissal request initiated by Economy Minister Nir Barkat.

The Attorney General now aims to block the committee's convening and prevent the professional review process from proceeding. Minister Barkat is expected to attend the hearing and present arguments opposing the Attorney General's move, which he claims attempts to bypass elected officials and grants immunity to senior civil servants at the expense of combating high living costs and serving the public interest.

This legal conflict began in January 2024 when Barkat requested the Civil Service Commission to convene the appointments committee, citing a lack of confidence in Cohen's leadership and accusing the Competition Authority under her guidance of weakness against major market monopolies. Initially, the Attorney General opposed the dismissal, but after Barkat and the Lavi organization petitioned the Supreme Court, the court ruled in their favor, requiring the committee to convene.

Today's hearing represents the final chapter in this legal dispute, which will determine whether the political leadership can complete the process to remove the senior official from her position.