Israeli Supreme Court Blocks Justice Minister From Appointing New Police Investigations Head

The Israeli Supreme Court has temporarily barred Justice Minister Yariv Levin from appointing a new head of the Police Investigations Department (Mahash). This injunction was issued as part of ongoing petitions challenging the new Mahash law, with the court ruling that no new steps should be taken to advance relevant appointments until further evaluation of interim requests. As a result, Levin cannot proceed with the appointment process until the court decides otherwise.

Levin had planned to continue the appointment despite the current election period, arguing that the new Mahash law, passed in June before the official election announcement, exempts such appointments from the usual government restrictions during elections. He maintained that the selection process, which he initiated and extended for candidate submissions, should continue. Levin cited precedent where the previous government appointed a military chief of staff during elections with Supreme Court approval, emphasizing that the Mahash head would be chosen by a professional committee without political members.

However, the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, who joined the petitioners opposing the law and its immediate implementation, requested the court to issue an interim injunction to halt the appointment until a comprehensive ruling on the law is made. She warned that advancing the appointment already constitutes implementation of the law, which is supposed to take effect only after the next Knesset is formed.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel welcomed the Supreme Court's decision, stating it preserves the independence of law enforcement and prevents the Justice Minister from making a politically influenced appointment during the election period. The organization stressed that Mahash must remain a professional and independent body, free from political influence, and vowed to continue defending its independence, equality before the law, and public trust in law enforcement.