Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara ruled that Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s new roadblock policy over protests is beyond his authority, igniting a legal and political showdown.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on Monday rejected National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s attempt to impose a new policy governing roadblocks during protests, declaring the move “invalid” and outside his authority.
The standoff erupted after Ben-Gvir unveiled a policy document detailing how police should handle demonstrations. His directive sought to ban the blocking of vital routes such as hospital access roads, emergency lanes, Ben Gurion Airport approaches, highways, and roads isolating communities. The plan also prohibited protestors from throwing or placing objects on roads.
Ben-Gvir argued the rules were necessary to balance freedom of expression with public safety, stating: “Freedom of protest is important, but not at the expense of human lives. Blocking hospital access or highways endangers citizens.”
The minister further warned that if the Attorney General failed to respond within five days, he would implement the policy unilaterally. According to Ben-Gvir, the document had been sent to Baharav-Miara months ago without reply.
On Monday, the Attorney General fired back, making clear that roadblock regulations fall outside the minister’s legal authority, escalating tensions between Israel’s justice system and the far-right firebrand minister.
The clash underscores a deepening power struggle over who controls the balance between protest rights and public order at a time of mounting political unrest.
