Israeli Attorney General Seeks Injunction to Halt Police Investigations Department Reform Law

Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has petitioned the Supreme Court to issue an interim injunction preventing the implementation of a new law restructuring the Police Investigations Department (Mahash). She argues that the law aims to intimidate police officers, investigators, and journalists, undermining the independence of law enforcement. Baharav-Miara warned that the law would politicize Mahash, potentially affecting sensitive ongoing cases, especially during the election period, and could cause organizational chaos and paralysis within the unit.

Contrary to claims that the law’s application is delayed, she emphasized that its core provisions take immediate effect, necessitating urgent judicial intervention. She stressed the need for institutional protections to ensure fairness and prevent political bias against investigators and prosecutors. The law mandates that Mahash be separated from the Attorney General’s Office and placed under the authority of the Minister of Justice.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir responded harshly, accusing the Attorney General of turning Mahash into a "private criminal gang" for settling scores and fabricating cases, and opposing the law that would limit her alleged misconduct. He vowed to end what he called "criminality and the criminal" in the next government term.