Israeli Attorney General's Office Pressures Candidates to Block New Independent Police Investigations Unit

The Israeli Attorney General's Office is reportedly working to undermine the establishment of the new independent Police Investigations Department (Mahash), which was legislated to separate from the State Prosecutor's Office. Sources told C14 that in recent weeks, officials from the Attorney General's legal counsel have pressured potential candidates for the selection committee responsible for appointing Mahash members to decline participation. This move aligns with the Attorney General and State Prosecutor's opposition to removing Mahash from their jurisdiction and turning it into an autonomous body.

The Mahash law, passed in a final reading by the Knesset, mandates that the department investigating police officers become independent from the prosecution and the Attorney General's Office. Last week, Itamar Donenfeld, Director General of the Ministry of Justice and head of the selection committee, convened a meeting to advance the department's establishment according to the new law. He instructed preparations to begin immediately within the ministry and requested monthly updates on progress.

So far, only one candidate, attorney Avi Amiram, known for representing the commander of Unit 100 in the controversial Patzir affair, has been selected for the committee. However, no additional candidates have agreed to join, reportedly due to the pressure from the Attorney General's Office. Without the selection committee, the law cannot be implemented.

Meanwhile, Knesset Legal Advisor Shagit Afek submitted an opinion opposing interim court orders that would freeze the formation of Mahash and its selection committee, stating that the judiciary should not halt the ongoing process. Despite the selection committee not yet being formed, the Civil Service Commission issued a call for candidates for Mahash's head. The initial deadline passed without a suitable candidate, and a new deadline has been set for mid-August.