Israel's highest court is weighing whether a sitting minister can be too political to stay in charge of the police. The High Court of Justice on Wednesday heard petitions demanding that the court order Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fire far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, reports Haaretz. Petitioners, backed by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accuse Ben-Gvir of turning the police into a political tool and eroding democratic norms; Ben-Gvir openly told reporters he is "reshaping the police" and backing policies and appointments critics say breach a prior agreement limiting his powers. Baharav-Miara "says I interfere in appointments, that I've already appointed more than 1,100 officers to implement my policy, and she's right," he said outside court.
Justices pressed the state on alleged "politicization of the police," with one judge warning such a shift is "unacceptable" and potentially dangerous for democracy. Government lawyers argued the court has no authority to oust a minister and must respect the prime minister's broad discretion over his cabinet. "Today, there is not a police station in the State of Israel whose commander the minister didn't appoint," said Ben Gvir's attorney, David Peter, per the Times of Israel. "There are people who just can't swallow this, they can't swallow the democratic outcome." Further, addressing the justices directly, he said, "You have no authority [over government appointments], and you lack the authority to decide that you have any authority."
Baharav-Miara countered that Netanyahu's refusal to act effectively endorses conduct that undermines police independence, citing stalled promotions and interference in protest policing. A ruling against Ben-Gvir would mark unprecedented judicial intervention in Israel's cabinet makeup; a rejection could reaffirm wide leeway for political control over law enforcement. Ben-Gvir is no stranger to controversy.
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