Legislation8/13/2026

Attorney General Called on High Court of Justice to Freeze Changes to Mahash Until Elections End

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated in her response to the petitions against the new law concerning Mahash that the government should be barred from making appointments and taking other steps in the department until the elections are over. According to her, politicizing the body that investigates police conduct could influence the elections by exerting pressure on police officers and prosecutors.

Key facts

•Court: High Court of Justice
•Subject: Petitions against the new law concerning Mahash
•Position submitted: August 13, 2026
•Committee: Five members, with the minister influencing three of them
•The case number is not specified in the source
•No final court decision was reported

What the Court Is Considering

The High Court of Justice is considering petitions against the new law concerning Mahash—the Department of Internal Police Investigations. Baharav-Miara and Justice Minister Yariv Levin are required to present the court with their positions regarding the appointment of the department’s next director during the election period. The case number and the deadline for submitting the positions are not specified in the source.

The Dispute Over the Committee

According to the attorney general, Levin has already begun appointing officeholders to the committee that, under the new law, will participate in appointing and dismissing Mahash directors. In addition to the director general of the Ministry of Justice, the minister appointed a representative on his behalf and, according to Baharav-Miara’s position, is participating in the selection of the third member. As a result, three of the committee’s five members are either the minister’s representatives or are appointed with his significant involvement.

The Attorney General’s Position

Baharav-Miara believes that advancing such appointments during an election period raises concerns about political influence over a law-enforcement body. As grounds for a temporary freeze, she points to the risk of pressure being exerted on police officers and prosecutors and to possible harm to the elections. At this stage, this is the attorney general’s position and not a final decision by the High Court of Justice; the source does not report the outcome of the proceeding.

Response From the Law’s Sponsor

Likud Knesset member Moshe Saada, who initiated the law concerning Mahash, rejected the criticism. He stated that the reform would bring far-reaching changes to law enforcement and made severe accusations against the attorney general and her staff.

What this means for you

If the High Court of Justice accepts the attorney general’s position, appointments and structural changes at Mahash could be halted until the elections are over. For residents of Israel, this is important primarily when filing complaints about police conduct: the dispute concerns the independence of the body that investigates such complaints. However, the source does not report that the court has already issued such an order.

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