Israeli Police Investigations Unit Paralyzed as Justice Ministry Blocks Phone Decryption Technology

The Police Investigations Department (Mahash) in Israel is experiencing an unprecedented paralysis that prevents it from fulfilling its duties. According to sources within the judicial system, the Ministry of Justice is actively blocking Mahash's access to critical technologies needed to decrypt mobile phones, which are essential tools for conducting criminal investigations. Mahash currently relies on the "Cellebrite" system for phone decryption, but the Ministry of Justice has refused to renew its license, citing concerns over preventing the use of spyware.

This blockage has led to a complete freeze in operations: investigators are unable to open new cases, and ongoing investigations have come to a halt. Among the stalled cases is a sensitive investigation involving the head of the Lahav 433 unit, which remains unanswered due to the technology freeze. An insider within the organization claims this is a deliberate policy by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Ministry Director General Itamar Donenfeld, aimed at "drying up" the department in preparation for its removal from the prosecution service.

This move is part of a broader judicial reform plan scheduled to take effect in early 2027, representing a significant shift in the structure and function of the Israeli legal system.