High Court Extends Deadline in Ben Gvir Dismissal Petitions, Urges Faster Response

Israel’s High Court of Justice granted the state an extension until July 2, 2026, to file its response in petitions seeking the dismissal of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The decision was issued Sunday by a special expanded panel of nine justices hearing the combined cases.

The panel, headed by Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit and Deputy President Noam Sohlberg, also included Daphne Barak-Erez, David Mintz, Yael Willner, Ofer Grosskopf, Alex Stein, Khaled Kabub and Yechiel Kasher. While formally approving the delay, the justices signaled that the relevant parties should submit their comments earlier than the deadline if possible.

That message reflected the deadlock between Ben Gvir’s representatives and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. The court had previously ruled that Ben Gvir would not be removed at this stage, but ordered his side to hold direct talks with Baharav-Miara to create clear rules and understandings meant to stop his political interference in police work.

Those talks have largely failed, according to the article, with only two meetings held, two others canceled, and no agreement reached. The petitioners are represented by attorney Gilead Barnea, while the respondents are represented by attorneys Shosh Shmueli and Metanya Rozin. Legal sources cited in the report expect the court to reject any attempt to drag out the process indefinitely and to impose a stricter timetable.