AG said to reach compromise with Ben Gvir on national security minister’s powers

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has come to a compromise with Itamar Ben Gvir regarding limits on his power as national security minister, Hebrew outlets report.

The agreement, which reportedly aims to curb Ben Gvir’s interference in police appointments and operational police matters, allows Baharav-Miara to represent the politician before the High Court of Justice as it hears petitions against his reappointment as national security minister.

A Justice Ministry spokesperson tells The Times of Israel that a joint statement will be submitted in the next few hours to the court, which is scheduled to hear the petitions next week.

The petitioners accuse Ben Gvir of politicizing the police force and selectively promoting officers that push his far-right agenda.

The government reappointed the politician to his post in March, flouting Baharav-Miara’s initial counsel that his return to the ministry was “not possible” at the time.

She eased her position in early April when she agreed to enter a “practical dialogue” with representatives of Ben Gvir to set limits on the minister’s powers, asking the court to hold off on hearing the petitions against his reappointment. Judges granted her request.

Ben Gvir reportedly agreed to compromise on potential limits to his power out of fear that the court would disqualify him from serving as national security minister, Haaretz reported Sunday.