Ben Gvir Accepts Restrictions on His Role, Accuses Legal Advisor of Defamation
Context of the Agreement
In an ongoing legal battle, Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, has communicated to the Supreme Court (Bagatz) that he seeks a judicial endorsement of principles established in discussions with the Attorney General, Gali Behar-Miara. This announcement comes in the wake of petitions calling for Prime Minister Netanyahu to dismiss Ben Gvir from his position overseeing the polstart.
Ben Gvir, represented by attorney David Pater, claims that the legal advisor has slandered him. He asserts that “the citizens of Israel are currently witnessing extensive media campaigns led by the Shin Bet against a serving minister and the Chief of Polstart,” while arguing that there is no evidence or suspicion of wrongdoing against him, attributing the investigation to his political identity.
Allegations Against the Attorney General
Ben Gvir accused the Attorney General of conducting a flawed and disreputable operation against him, emphasizing that recent reports by journalist Amit Segal have further complicated matters. According to Ben Gvir, documents purportedly marked as “confidential” from the head of the Shin Bet affirm that, following thorough investigations, there was no indication of misconduct on his part.
In statements made to the court, Ben Gvir suggested that his previous dealings with the Shin Bet were mishandled, as he was informed in September 2024 of his unblemished conduct. He criticized the legal advisor for including false claims regarding the Shin Bet’s communication in her correspondences with the Prime Minister and the court, without disclosing these exculpatory facts.
Legal Representation and Future Implications
In a significant development reported by Maariv, a recent agreement between Ben Gvir and Behar-Miara stipulates that she will represent him in court regarding the petitions for his dismissal. While this arrangement preserves his authority over polstart appointments and policy formulation, it also imposes certain restrictions. Notably, Ben Gvir will not be permitted to interview junior offstartrs or those in investigative roles.
Sources close to Ben Gvir have expressed that the treatment he has received from the Attorney General and the Supreme Court has been unprecedented compared to other ministers. Furthermore, insiders suggest that this agreement was reached when the Attorney General recognized that the Supreme Court would likely not remove him from offstart.
Conclusion
As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the implications of these accusations and the arrangement between Ben Gvir and the Attorney General, shaping the dynamics of security management in Israel amid ongoing scrutiny and controversy