High Court gives Netanyahu, Ben Gvir 2 days to respond to petition against Otzma leader

The High Court of Justice orders incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir to respond within two days to a petition demanding that the court prohibit the Likud leader from appointing Ben Gvir as national security minister.

The petition, filed by the Tag Meir coexistence organization, alleges that Ben Gvir has been repeatedly involved in efforts to disturb the public order, including arranging demonstrations in mixed Jewish-Arab cities during the May 2021 riots, and that he therefore cannot be appointed minister in charge of the police.

The petition also points out that Ben Gvir has been convicted in the past on charges of disturbing the public order, interfering with a police officer while performing his duty, as well as incitement to racism and supporting a terror organization.

“Ben Gvir has been involved in disturbing the public order for his entire career and it is therefore not reasonable in the extreme that he be in charge of public order,” says Tag Meir leader Gadi Gvaryahu.

Judge Isaac Amit gives Ben Gvir and Netanyahu until Wednesday to respond to the petition. The new government, including Ben Gvir as national security minister with authority over the police, is scheduled to be sworn in on Thursday.