Justice Minister Levin to Receive Separate Legal Representation in Controversial Police Investigations Law Case

Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin will be granted separate legal representation in petitions filed against the new Police Investigations Department (Mahash) law, which he promoted. This decision follows significant disagreements between Levin and the State Attorney Gal Berkov Miarah, who joined the petitioners opposing the law. Attorney Harel Arnon will represent Levin, with the state covering legal expenses amounting to 50,000 shekels. Berkov Miarah will also receive separate representation, costing the state an additional 50,000 shekels.

The approval came from a committee led by Justice Ministry Director-General Itamar Donenfeld, based on a legal opinion by Deputy State Attorney Dr. Gil Limon, who noted "substantial disagreements" between the parties. Levin was required to clarify his position to the Supreme Court by the day of the ruling. According to a Ynet report, Levin intends to inform the court that he will proceed with appointing a new head of Mahash despite the ongoing election period. He argues the law was enacted in June before the official election announcement, so the usual restrictions on government decisions during elections do not apply.

Levin emphasized that the tender for selecting the new Mahash head, which he extended, will continue. He also cited precedent from 2022 when the government appointed IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during elections with Supreme Court approval, asserting that a professional committee without politicians can appoint the Mahash head.

Conversely, State Attorney Berkov Miarah, who joined the petitioners, seeks a temporary injunction to halt the appointment until a comprehensive ruling on the law is made. She contends that advancing the appointment already activates the law despite claims it applies only after the next Knesset convenes. She warned that the committee responsible for appointments is forming now, creating political control over the process and effectively dismantling Mahash to establish a new enforcement body.

Berkov Miarah argued the law politicizes Mahash, which investigates police and security personnel offenses, threatening the rule of law and law enforcement independence. She dismissed Levin’s election-period appointment justification, noting the sensitivity of such periods and the need to avoid significant non-urgent changes. Constitutional law experts echoed concerns about the law’s impact during elections, describing Levin’s move as a "power grab" that could intimidate law enforcement and media.

The Supreme Court, led by President Isaac Amit, Deputy President Noam Solberg, and Justice Daphna Barak-Erez, ordered Levin to clarify whether he intends to appoint the Mahash director and other officials before the elections. The petitions challenge the June-approved law that places Mahash under the Justice Ministry’s authority.