Attorney-general asks High Court to block PID appointments until after October elections

BySARAH BEN-NUNAUGUST 16, 2026 11:45Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara asked the High Court of Justice to stop the government from appointing new leaders to the Police Investigations Department before the October 27 election, arguing that Justice Minister Yariv Levin has too much influence over who will be chosen.The court has not yet ruled on the request. It is considering several petitions against a law passed in June that removes PID from the State Attorney’s Office and places it more directly under the Justice Ministry.At issue are two long-term appointments: the director of the restructured department, who will serve for six years, and a new senior official who will resolve disputes over investigations of police officers and serve for three years.Baharav-Miara argued that making those appointments shortly before an election would allow the current government to shape the leadership of one of Israel’s most sensitive law-enforcement bodies for years to come.She also warned that perceived political control over PID could deter police officers, investigators, and prosecutors, particularly during an election period in which the police are responsible for maintaining public order and protecting demonstrations.Illustrative: Firemen and police officers at the scene where a car exploded on Peretz Street in Rishon Lezion on July 03, 2022. (credit: YOSSI ALONI/FLASH90)PID investigates suspected criminal offenses committed by police officers. Its independence is therefore intended to ensure that officers can be investigated without political interference or pressure from the police itself.Levin has 'significant influence' over voting committeeUnder the new law, a five-member committee will select the two senior officials. Baharav-Miara argued that Levin or his office had significant influence over three of its members.The Justice Ministry director-general, or a representative, chairs the committee. Baharav-Miara’s filing described Director-General Itamar Donenfeld as holding a position of trust under Levin. Levin appointed a second member, a criminal-defense lawyer, after consulting with the national public defender.The attorney-general’s filing revealed that Donenfeld was also closely involved in the selection of a third member, who was formally appointed by the Civil Service commissioner.According to the filing, Donenfeld sent the commissioner the name of a single candidate, along with the candidate’s résumé and a legal opinion finding no impediment to the appointment. The commissioner interviewed the candidate and decided to appoint them.Baharav-Miara did not claim that the commissioner failed to make his own decision. She argued, however, that Donenfeld’s decision to put forward only one name gave Levin’s office significant influence over a third seat on the committee.That would be particularly consequential because the committee may operate with only three members. It will also have the power to dismiss the officials it appoints.The committee has also not yet been fully established. An application process for the position of PID director was opened on June 25, but its deadline was extended three times, most recently to Sunday (August 16). No equivalent process has been opened for the second position.Permanent appointments should be avoided during electionsBaharav-Miara argued that there is no urgent need to complete either appointment before the election. The existing PID continues to operate under an acting director and no position has been left functionally vacant.Baharav-Miara argued, citing High Court precedent, that permanent appointments should generally be avoided during an election period when there is no urgent need and a temporary arrangement is available.The attorney-general acknowledged that the coming election is taking place on its scheduled date, unlike many previous cases in which courts considered appointments after an early election had been called. She nevertheless argued that the same concerns over political considerations and binding the next government apply.The filing said that, according to the Justice Ministry’s legal adviser, Levin had not yet formulated his position on whether to advance the appointments before the election. It added that his request for separate legal representation had been approved on July 14.The Knesset approved the PID law in June by 43 votes to 39. It establishes PID as a separate body within the Justice Ministry and transfers powers currently held by the attorney-general and State Attorney’s Office to the department’s new leadership.Levin and Likud MK Moshe Saada, who sponsored the law, have said the separation will address conflicts of interest and make investigations of police officers more independent and professional.Baharav-Miara and the petitioners challenging the law argue that it would have the opposite effect by giving political officials influence over the body responsible for investigating the police.The High Court must now decide whether to freeze the appointments while it considers the broader petitions against the law.Follow us on Google