Israeli Legal Advisor Warns Against Police Investigations Unit Appointments During Election Period

The Israeli government legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, has expressed strong opposition to advancing appointments under the new Police Investigations Department (Mahash) law during the election period. In a response to the Supreme Court, she warned that most committee members responsible for selecting Mahash leadership are closely linked to the Minister of Justice, raising concerns about politicization and a chilling effect on police officers, investigators, and prosecutors.

Baharav-Miara highlighted that the law grants the Minister of Justice the power to appoint a "supervisor" who can decide whether to transfer cases to Mahash from other investigative bodies. Currently, Mahash is led by an acting head following the departure of Keren Menachem. The legal advisor noted that the committee for appointing the new head is not yet fully formed and that key members were appointed with significant involvement from the Minister of Justice’s confidants, based on a single candidate review.

She criticized plans to push appointments for two critical law enforcement roles during the election campaign, arguing this would politicize the process and undermine the principles of professional, equal, and apolitical law enforcement. Baharav-Miara stressed that although the law is set to take effect after the elections, its core provisions are already impacting the system, and advancing appointments now would harm Mahash’s functioning.

The legal advisor recommended postponing permanent appointments until after the elections unless there is an urgent need, as the current acting leadership is experienced and capable. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hold hearings on whether these appointments can proceed during the election period and on a petition challenging the new Mahash law itself.