Political Storm Erupts Over Attorney General's Alleged Pressure on Police Investigations Committee

A political controversy has erupted in Israel following a report by Channel 14 revealing that the identities of members of the selection committee for the Police Investigations Department (Mahash) are being kept secret. This secrecy is due to fears that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and her associates are exerting pressure on committee members to resign, aiming to block the appointment of a new Mahash head. This development comes despite the recent passage of a law establishing Mahash as an independent entity separate from the Attorney General's office and the State Prosecutor, and despite the Supreme Court not issuing any injunction to halt the process.

Knesset Constitution Committee Chair MK Simcha Rothman accused Baharav-Miara of using "violence and coercion" through what he called the "rule of law gang," asserting that the new Mahash law breaks her monopolistic control and will free the next government from her grip. MK Avichai Boaron expressed alarm that committee members fear persecution by the Attorney General's office simply for fulfilling their civic duties, describing the pressure tactics as reminiscent of criminal behavior. MK Moshe Saada, who initiated the Mahash legislation, likened the conduct to that of a criminal family and warned that committee members might soon need witness protection due to intimidation by Baharav-Miara and her allies. He also promised forthcoming investigations into her alleged misconduct, including the cover-up of the State Prosecutor's scandal and persecution of right-wing figures, notably Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The report highlighted that despite the law's final approval and the Supreme Court's refusal to issue a stay, the Ministry of Justice and its director-general are compelled to keep the committee members' identities confidential. This is based on intelligence that Baharav-Miara and her team are actively seeking to identify and pressure these members to resign. Officials involved described the situation as "completely insane," emphasizing that the law explicitly forbids any involvement of the Attorney General or State Prosecutor in Mahash's affairs. The controversy underscores calls for an independent Mahash, as recommended by the State Comptroller, to avoid inherent conflicts of interest arising from Mahash's previous integration within the State Prosecutor's office.