Journalist Avishai Grin'tsaig assesses that the High Court of Justice has clearly signaled that a new head of the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) will not be appointed before the upcoming elections, and that the law creating the new department is effectively dead, according to a single-source report.
On Monday, the High Court of Justice requested Justice Minister Yariv Levin to clarify whether he intends to appoint a new head of the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) before the elections. Later that evening, journalist Avishai Grin'tsaig reported that the court has signaled that no appointment will be made, and that the legislation establishing the new department is effectively dead. This assessment, attributed to the court, has not been officially confirmed by the court or the Justice Ministry.
The events unfolded on Monday, Aug 3. At 18:36 Jerusalem, The Zioneer first reported that the Attorney General had informed the High Court that a new Mahash head would be selected before the elections, citing N12. Shortly after, the court asked Levin to clarify his intentions, according to ynet. Then, in a third report, Grin'tsaig assessed that the court had signaled no appointment would be made, marking a shift from the Attorney General's earlier assurance. The source quality evolved from a single news outlet to multiple reports, with Grin'tsaig's assessment remaining a single-source report.
The tensions over judicial appointments during the election period are part of a broader pattern. As The Zioneer reported on July 21, MK Avichay Buaron (Likud) accused the High Court and Attorney General of trampling the will of the electorate. The government has also cited scheduling constraints to delay legislation, such as the October 7 inquiry law (The Zioneer, July 22). The High Court has intervened in other government moves, including halting Communications Minister Karhi's media reform (The Zioneer, June 18).
The court's signal remains unconfirmed. Grin'tsaig's assessment is based on a single source, and it is unclear whether the court will issue a formal ruling or whether Levin will respond to the clarification request. The status of the legislation establishing the new Mahash department is also uncertain.
4 developments
- DevelopingMovement for Quality Government petitions High Court against new Police Internal Investigations law
- DevelopingC14: Legal counsel sources pressuring candidates to reject Mahash search committee role
- StrongTuchfeld reveals details of new independent Mahash unit
- DevelopingFour former police commissioners join High Court petition against new Mahash law
Source and signal
- Open-source intake