Israeli Supreme Court Orders Justice Minister Levin to Halt Police Investigations Appointment Until Legal Review

The Israeli Supreme Court has instructed Justice Minister Yariv Levin to refrain from advancing appointments under the new Police Investigations Department (Mahash) law, including the appointment of the department's director, until the court rules on interim injunction requests filed against the law. This ruling means that no appointment processes outlined in the new legislation can proceed until the court decides on the temporary relief sought. The decision does not address the constitutionality of the law itself or the merits of the petitions.

The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, which petitioned against the law and requested the freeze on appointments, welcomed the court's decision. The organization emphasized that the ruling protects the independence of law enforcement and prevents the Justice Minister from pushing through appointments during the election period. The core dispute centers on the appointment mechanism established by the new law, which allows the Justice Minister and his office director significant influence over selecting the Mahash director for a six-year term.

The Movement argues that advancing appointments before the court's ruling could create irreversible facts on the ground, complicating any potential reversal if the petitions succeed. They stress that Mahash must remain a professional and independent body, free from political influence. The parties now await the Supreme Court's decision on the interim injunction, with Levin legally required to hold off on any appointments under the new law until then.