Knesset Committee Set to Decide on Tally Gotliv’s Immunity Request

The Knesset House Committee is expected to rule on Monday on Likud MK Tally Gotliv’s request for immunity from criminal prosecution. Her bid has triggered two heated hearing days in recent weeks, as she seeks to block an investigation into suspected disclosure of classified information.

The suspicion stems from a post on X in which Gotliv revealed the identity of the husband of activist Shikma Bressler, who is an Shin Bet officer, allegedly in violation of the law. She is accused of disclosing and publishing confidential information, an offense under the Shin Bet Law that can carry up to three years in prison.

The immunity at issue is substantive immunity, which covers actions taken as part of an MK’s official duties. It cannot be revoked and remains in force even after a lawmaker leaves office. During the latest hearing last week, Gotliv told Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, “You are persecuting. You are behaving like a criminal organization.”

Committee exchanges grew increasingly hostile. Deputy Minister Almog Cohen shouted at Baharav-Miara, “You cannot film it? Criminal! What about Gilad Kariv, he is allowed to film?” He was removed from the session. Baharav-Miara said the Shin Bet’s professional opinion was “top secret” and could be reviewed only in the committee chairman’s office without being photographed. She argued that Gotliv’s claim of acting in good faith for a worthy purpose does not protect her from criminal law, and that the indictment rests on Shin Bet findings that exposing agents endangers them and state security. Committee chairman Ofir Katz also interrupted her several times, while opposition members complained that he refused to intervene.