Attorney General Warns Ben Gvir's Participation in Security Classes Event May Constitute Election Propaganda

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has expressed opposition to Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's planned participation in a government-sponsored event honoring security classes, citing concerns that his involvement could be considered election propaganda. This warning comes amid updated guidelines issued by the Attorney General's office ahead of the upcoming elections, which distinguish between the legitimacy of government events themselves and the appropriateness of a minister's participation in such events during election periods.

The updated guidelines, published shortly after a petition was filed against the event on August 19 and then withdrawn, emphasize that while the event may be legitimate, a minister's attendance could independently amount to political campaigning. The guidelines also address the role of speakers at government events, scrutinizing whether the platform given to elected officials running for office constitutes undue political advantage.

Ben Gvir has strongly criticized the Attorney General's stance, accusing her of changing the rules at the last minute to prevent him from speaking at the ceremony. He claimed that Baharav-Miara initially tried to dismiss him, then attempted to block the establishment of nearly 1,000 security classes he helped create, and now is restricting his participation in their recognition event. The matter is expected to be adjudicated by Judge Noam Solberg later on the evening of August 23.

This dispute highlights tensions between government officials and the Attorney General's office over election conduct and the boundaries of political activity within official government functions during the election period.