Attorney General calls for injunction, but Levin insists on selecting PID head
After the Supreme Court ordered the Justice Minister to clarify his plans regarding the PID head appointment during the election period, it emerged that Yariv Levin intends to proceed. He argues that the law was passed before the election announcement and cites the precedent of Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi's appointment. Constitutional law experts criticize the move, claiming the minister aims to intimidate law enforcement.
The legal battle in the Supreme Court over the implementation of the PID law, between Minister of Justice Yariv Levin and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, is set to intensify early this week. It has been learned that the minister intends to notify the Supreme Court that he is continuing the selection process for the head of the PID, despite the ongoing election period.
Levin’s primary argument is that the new PID law was passed in June, prior to the official announcement of Knesset elections, and therefore the restraint required of government ministers regarding substantive decisions or senior appointments does not apply. As a reminder, the law removes the PID from the State Attorney's Office, establishing it as an independent unit within the Ministry of Justice, directly subordinate to the minister.
Levin insists that the tender for the new PID head will proceed. He argues that if the previous government could appoint Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi during the 2022 elections with Supreme Court approval, the current government can appoint a PID head via a professional committee that excludes politicians.
Conversely, the Attorney General has joined petitioners against the law and its immediate implementation, requesting an interim injunction to halt the appointment until a comprehensive ruling is reached. Last week, she informed the Supreme Court that promoting this appointment effectively implements the law, despite claims of deferred application.
"In practice, the committee responsible for appointments and dismissals is being established now, creating centers of political control," she stated. She warned that the upcoming August selection would be conducted by a committee that is political in essence. The Attorney General argues that the law will politicize the PID—an agency tasked with investigating police and security personnel—thereby undermining the rule of law.
Constitutional law experts dismiss the comparison to the Chief of Staff as "irrelevant." They argue that the IDF cannot function without a commander for a single day, whereas the PID currently has a functioning director. They view the minister's actions as a "hijack," intended to intimidate police officers, investigators, and prosecutors during a sensitive election period without any genuine urgency.
Last week, the Supreme Court, led by President Isaac Amit, Deputy President Noam Sohlberg, and Judge Dafna Barak-Erez, ordered Minister Levin to clarify his intentions regarding the appointment. The law, passed by a 43-39 vote, has been described by legal sources as a "funeral ceremony for corruption investigations," raising fears that police will avoid probing senior figures for fear of career repercussions.
