Israeli Attorney General Urges Supreme Court to Halt Controversial Police Oversight Law

Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has called on the Supreme Court to issue an interim injunction to stop the implementation of the new Police Investigations Department (Mahash) law. In a statement sent to the court on July 27, 2026, she warned that the law aims to intimidate police officers, investigators, prosecutors, and journalists, undermining their ability to operate independently and effectively.

Baharav-Miara argued that the law threatens the independence of law enforcement agencies and could severely damage the fight against corruption and press freedom. She emphasized that the law's enactment and the appointment of its leadership have already begun, with a political committee formed and a director being promoted, making urgent judicial intervention necessary.

The Attorney General highlighted that the law's negative impact extends beyond law enforcement, potentially affecting public trust and civil society, including protests, governance, sports arenas, and free journalism. She described the new unit as a "political prosecution and investigation unit" that would instill fear among officials and civilians alike.

Baharav-Miara stressed that all public servants, including investigators and journalists, require basic conditions to perform their duties without fear. She called for a temporary injunction to prevent further steps toward implementing the law, which she said would cause significant harm to the justice system and civil society actors.

The call to halt the law comes amid growing controversy over its perceived political motivations and potential to disrupt established legal and journalistic practices in Israel.