Attorney General Opposes National Security Minister Ben Gvir's Attendance at Preparedness Classes Conference

Israel's Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, has opposed National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's planned participation in a "Preparedness Classes" conference scheduled for Monday. The opposition stems from concerns that his presence could be perceived as election propaganda ahead of the 2026 elections. According to sources close to Ben Gvir, recent changes in guidelines now prohibit him from even delivering a greeting at such events.

The legal document clarifies that determining whether an event is governmental or political is complex and must be assessed based on all circumstances. Factors include the event's timing relative to elections, whether it was planned before the election call, its professional or political nature, and its connection to the minister's official duties. Additional considerations involve the event's scale, media coverage, speakers' identities, and the content of speeches, especially if they might influence voters.

Ben Gvir's team claims the tightened guidelines unfairly restrict his participation in events related to his ministry's work, accusing the Attorney General of tailoring rules to hinder him. The dispute highlights the broader issue of defining the boundaries for ministers' public appearances during election periods, balancing official duties against potential political campaigning.

Following media reports, an appeal was filed on Saturday night to the chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Solberg, requesting a ban on Ben Gvir's attendance. A decision from Judge Solberg is expected later Monday evening. The Attorney General's stance emphasizes that while the event itself may be legitimate, the minister's participation under current circumstances could amount to unauthorized electioneering.