High Court orders Netanyahu to justify employment of acting PMO director who’s under police investigation

The High Court of Justice issues a conditional order against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to a petition asking the court to have Drorit Steinmetz cease serving as acting director of the Prime Minister’s Office.

The court gave Netanyahu until August 13 to file his response to the court.

Steinmetz, who is considered close to the Netanyahu family, particularly the premier’s wife, Sara, has been serving as acting director since February 2025, and her position has been renewed every three months.

The Movement for Integrity in Government has petitioned the High Court to oust Steinmetz because she’s being investigated on suspicion of theft by a public servant, false registration in corporate documents, fraudulent receipt of a benefit under aggravated circumstances, and fraud and breach of trust.

The suspicions against Steinmetz stem from her alleged role in a scandal involving Social Equality Minister May Golan, specifically allegations that she secured a job for Golan’s media adviser Harel Hershkowitz, the grandson of former civil service commissioner Daniel Hershkowitz. The senior Hershkowitz was replaced earlier this month by Doron Cohen.