Petitions to Remove Ben Gvir: What the High Court of Justice Considered

Why the Dispute Arose

Ben Gvir is responsible for the Israel Police, the Israel Prison Service, and the Fire and Rescue Authority. According to the source, 15 indictments were filed against him between 1993 and 2007: he was convicted in full or in part in 13 of them, including for supporting a terrorist organization and incitement to racism. In February 2024, the High Court of Justice unanimously rejected a petition challenging the appointment itself, ruling that the appointment of ministers belongs to the political sphere and is subject to the prime minister’s broad discretion. However, Justice Yitzhak Amit described Ben Gvir’s conduct as unbecoming of a minister in Israel.

The New Petitions and the Attorney General’s Position

Following the first decision, four new petitions were filed seeking to compel Netanyahu to dismiss the minister. The High Court of Justice issued an order nisi, requiring the prime minister to explain why Ben Gvir should not be removed from office; on April 15, 2026, a nine-justice panel heard the case. The Attorney General stated that all other measures had been exhausted and that the government’s inaction had allowed the minister to continue his controversial interference in police work. On July 20, 2026, she informed the court that a further attempt to resolve the issue through other means had been insufficient.

Restrictions on the Minister’s Powers

Amendment No. 37 to the Police Ordinance, enacted on December 28, 2022, allowed the minister to set the police’s general policy, priorities, and work plans. However, on January 2, 2025, the High Court of Justice struck down the provision applying these powers to investigations, while leaving the rest of the amendment intact. On April 16, 2026, the court also gave binding force to agreed principles: the promotion of certain officeholders at the rank of commander and above would be carried out upon the recommendation of the senior command staff and with advance notice to the Attorney General. The minister was also prohibited from making statements regarding the use of police force against civilians and ongoing investigations.

Netanyahu’s Position and the Status of the Proceeding

On August 7, 2026, Netanyahu informed the court that he had not changed his position: in his view, Ben Gvir’s appointment was lawful, and no specific event had occurred that might alter the fundamental decision to keep him in office. Ben Gvir himself argues that he is acting within his lawful authority to set police policy and rejects allegations that he is politicizing the police. The source does not report a final decision by the High Court of Justice on the four petitions and does not state the proceeding numbers.

Latest legal news

• Yonatan Urich file: leak indictment and reported Qatar ties
• Maccabi Tel Aviv shareholder files $2.55 million lawsuit over share deal
• High Court to hear petition against transfer of coalition funds
• High Court reviews safety officers’ duty to report serious site hazards