National Security Minister Ben Gvir Condemns Legal Advisor Over Ban From Police Volunteer Event

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sharply criticized State Legal Advisor Gali Baharav-Miara for opposing his participation in a police volunteer appreciation event scheduled in Tel Aviv. Ben Gvir claimed that guidelines regarding ministers' attendance at events during the election period were changed just days before the ceremony, effectively barring him from attending or speaking. He accused Baharav-Miara of repeatedly trying to silence him, referencing previous conflicts including attempts to dismiss him and prevent the establishment of volunteer patrol units.

The event, honoring police volunteer patrol units that Ben Gvir helped establish, is set to take place at the Menora Mivtachim Arena and will feature performances by Israeli singers Moshe Peretz and Ivri Lider. Initial election guidelines allowed government-funded events to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. However, on May 20, five days before the event and following a withdrawn petition against it, the guidelines were updated to distinguish between the legitimacy of the event itself and the appropriateness of ministerial participation, citing concerns about election propaganda.

The updated instructions require assessing the identity of speakers and whether the event serves as a platform for ministers or politicians running for office. Ben Gvir's team interprets this as a prohibition on his attendance and speech. Following these developments, a petition was filed with Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg, chairman of the Central Elections Committee, seeking to block Ben Gvir's participation. The committee is expected to decide on the matter soon, amid escalating tensions between the minister and the legal advisor.