Ben Gvir says unelected jurists seek power grab, reinforcing Israel’s struggle against internal democratic erosion.
Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir launched a fierce attack on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, accusing her of attempting to impose a “judicial dictatorship” after she submitted a position to the Supreme Court of Israel questioning the continuation of his tenure.
Speaking at the start of a faction meeting of Religious Zionism, Ben Gvir said the attorney general had crossed a red line by demanding that the prime minister explain why he had not dismissed him. “This is an unprecedented attempt,” Ben Gvir said, “to allow unelected legal bureaucrats to decide who may serve as a minister—rather than the people’s elected leadership.”
Citing Basic Law: The Government, Ben Gvir stressed that ministerial disqualification applies only in cases of conviction involving moral turpitude—conditions he says do not exist in his case. “There is no conviction, not even an investigation,” he asserted, accusing the attorney general of pressuring law enforcement unsuccessfully and alleging improper coordination with former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and the Shin Bet.
Ben Gvir warned that the precedent sought would endanger all right-wing ministers, including the prime minister, by allowing dismissals “with the stroke of a pen.” He welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported backing and referenced comments delivered to the attorney general’s representative Gil Limón.
Concluding, Ben Gvir declared that neither the attorney general nor the Supreme Court has authority to dismiss ministers. “Only the people elect their representatives,” he said, warning that any contrary ruling would be “blatantly illegal,” raising what he called a “black flag” over judicial overreach.
