Israeli Police Chief Opposes New Police Investigations Department Law Citing Corruption Probe Fears

Israel Police Commissioner Major General Danny Levi has privately opposed the new law restructuring the Police Investigations Department (Mahash), which removes it from the Attorney General's office and places its head under a committee dominated by representatives close to the Justice Minister. According to a report by Haaretz, Levi warned senior police officers before the law's parliamentary vote that political control over Mahash could deter officers from investigating public corruption cases. He emphasized that the law effectively allows the Justice Minister and his affiliates to select Mahash's director, potentially impacting the department's independence and functioning.

Levi also expressed concern that police officers and investigators might avoid corruption probes out of fear that they themselves could be investigated by Mahash in the future. The new law, passed last month, establishes Mahash as an independent entity separate from the prosecution and mandates that its head be appointed by a committee with a majority of political appointees loyal to the Justice Minister, replacing the previous system where the head was chosen by the Civil Service Commission.

Legal petitions have been filed against the law in Israel's Supreme Court, but no interim injunction has been issued to delay its implementation, which is scheduled for 2027. Other senior police officials reportedly share Levi's concerns, warning that the law places officers at significant risk and discourages them from handling corruption investigations, citing previous cases involving Prime Minister investigations. Similarly, legal officials within the Shin Bet security service, whose employees are also subject to Mahash investigations when suspected of crimes, have voiced apprehension about political influence over the investigative body.

In response, the police stated that Commissioner Levi is focused on police command and not involved in Mahash leadership decisions. The Shin Bet declined to comment publicly on its position but noted that its views were presented in a closed Knesset committee session and that criticisms made in public do not reflect the facts.