Ben Gvir's directive to route police freedom of information responses through him ruled illegal

A court ruling determined that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's directive to route police freedom of information responses through him is illegal. The decision came following a Kan News investigation and a petition by the Freedom of Information Movement and the 'Hatzlacha' association. The court ruled that the police's freedom of information officer is solely responsible for responses. The movement demands the directive be formally annulled.

A recent court ruling determined that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's directive to route police freedom of information responses through him is illegal. This was reported this morning (Wednesday) on the program 'Haboqer Haze' on Kan News, Reshet Bet. The decision came following a Kan News investigation more than six months ago, revealing that the minister's office instructed the police's freedom of information unit to transfer significant requests to him for approval before publication, contrary to the Freedom of Information Law. Among the topics Ben Gvir's office demanded to handle were data on delays of Jews on the Temple Mount, police policy in the Judea and Samaria District, and criminal crime data. Following the publication, the Freedom of Information Movement and the 'Hatzlacha' association filed a petition to the Administrative Court, which ruled that the police's freedom of information officer is solely responsible for the ministry's responses to inquiries. During the legal proceedings, the Attorney General's Office presented a position supporting the petitioners, while Ben Gvir was not allowed external representation. After the ruling, the Freedom of Information Movement sent an additional letter to Minister Ben Gvir and the legal advisor of the Ministry of National Security, demanding the directive be formally annulled. As of now, no response has been received. Hidi Negev, CEO of the Freedom of Information Movement: 'The ruling determined that Ben Gvir's directive to control police information is a serious violation of the law. We asked the police for information on murder rates in Israel, nationalist crime in the territories, car thefts, and more. In court proceedings, it was revealed that all this was part of Ben Gvir's attempt to take over police information.' Adv. Elad Man, legal advisor of the 'Hatzlacha' association: 'The ruling clarifies that the freedom of information officer must exercise independent judgment and may not subordinate his decisions to the minister or any other factor. The court annulled the ministry's decisions that refused to provide the requested information, some of which the police provided, and required it to re-examine, separately and fully, the information in its possession.'