Israeli Attorney General Warns Political Influence in Police Investigations Law Could Affect Upcoming Elections

Amid ongoing legal battles over the implementation of the Police Investigations Department (Mahash) law, Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has raised concerns about political interference in the appointment process for the new head of Mahash. She informed the High Court that the Director-General of the Ministry of Justice, a close associate of Justice Minister Yariv Levin, is responsible for appointing members to the selection committee for the new Mahash director. Baharav-Miara argued this indicates increased politicization of Mahash, which could intimidate police officers and prosecutors and potentially impact the upcoming elections.

The law in question removes Mahash from the Attorney General's jurisdiction and establishes it as an independent unit within the Ministry of Justice, directly subordinate to the minister. Levin insists that the tender process for selecting the new Mahash head, which he extended, will continue. He also contends that if the previous government was allowed by the High Court to appoint IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during the 2022 elections, then the current government can appoint Mahash's head through a professional committee without political members.

Baharav-Miara highlighted that besides the Justice Ministry Director-General and the minister's appointed representative, a third committee member was also appointed with significant involvement from Levin's confidant. Consequently, three of the five committee members are either ministerial representatives or appointed with his influence. She warned that the committee can operate with just three members, potentially allowing appointments or dismissals to be decided entirely by those aligned with the minister, underscoring the political involvement in law enforcement appointments.

The Attorney General further requested a freeze on the law's implementation, noting that although it is presented as taking effect after the elections, the minister and Director-General have already begun applying it. She described this as a superficial delay, with the law's core provisions effectively active immediately, raising concerns about its impact on the election process and law enforcement independence.