AG Calls for Interim Order, but Levin to Announce: Continuing Process to Appoint Head of Police Internal Investigations
The clash between Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara over the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) law is escalating: Levin is expected to inform the High Court that he will continue appointing the head of Mahash during the election period, arguing the law was passed in June before the announcement. The AG seeks an interim order, and experts say the comparison to the appointment of Herzi Halevi is irrelevant.
The clash between Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara over the implementation of the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) law is escalating. ynet has learned that Levin is expected to inform the High Court that he is continuing the process to appoint the head of Mahash, despite the election period. His main argument: the law was passed in June, before the election announcement, so the restriction on appointments does not apply. He will also argue that the previous government appointed Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during the 2022 elections and received High Court approval. In contrast, the Attorney General joined the petitioners and requested an interim order, arguing the law politicizes Mahash. Constitutional law experts say the comparison to the Chief of Staff is irrelevant, as the IDF needs a commander, while Mahash has a functioning director. The law, passed in June with 43 supporters against 39 opponents, removes Mahash from the prosecution and subordinates it directly to the minister. The High Court ordered Levin to clarify his intentions.