Attorney general requests interim court order curbing Ben Gvir’s influence over police

During a High Court hearing on petitions advocating for the dismissal of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a lawyer representing Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara requests that judges issue an interim order to curb Ben Gvir’s influence over police.

Shosh Shmueli, speaking for the attorney general, requests that the nine-judge panel forbid Ben Gvir from appointing officers to sensitive positions that deal with investigations, freedom of expression and the police’s legal counsel.

She further asks that the order prevent the far-right minister from participating in police operations that involve friction with civilians, such as house raids or face-to-face discussions with residents.

Her final request is that the court forbid police officers from meeting with Ben Gvir without police chief Danny Levy present.

David Peter, the lawyer representing Ben Gvir, opposes the prospective interim order. “We’re firing the minister without [actually] firing him,” he interjects.

Shmueli puts forth the request as judges appear reluctant to order Ben Gvir’s dismissal. Instead, they have hinted they plan to push for Ben Gvir, Baharav-Miara and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement meant to rein in the minister.

Shmueli notes that Baharav-Miara came to a legally-binding compromise with Ben Gvir already last year and claims that routine violations on his part rendered the document meaningless.

“We are convinced that our attempt to work according to the agreements failed,” she says. “We believe that this [an agreement] won’t necessarily be a cure for the harm done to individual freedoms.”