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Knesset approves controversial law giving justice minister control over internal police probes
🇵🇸 Palestine /Elections & Politics

Knesset approves controversial law giving justice minister control over internal police probes

From Times of Israel · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Approved/passed
  • The Knesset has approved controversial legislation granting the justice minister control over internal police investigations, passing by a vote of 43-39.
  • Critics, including the Attorney General, argue the law compromises the independence of law enforcement and politicizes criminal probes.
  • Proponents, like the National Security Minister, contend the change is necessary to prevent internal investigations from becoming a "private police force."

In a highly contentious move, Israeli lawmakers early Thursday approved legislation that places the Department for Internal Police Investigations (DIPI) under the direct control of the justice minister. The bill passed the Knesset with a 43-39 vote, marking a significant shift in the oversight of police conduct.

The bill removes the barrier between the political echelon and law enforcement. In practice, it therefore does severe harm to the entire law enforcement system, to its independence, to the basic principles of a democratic regime, and to the public.

— Gali Baharav-MiaraThe Attorney General criticized the legislation, warning of its negative impact on law enforcement independence and democratic principles.

The new law grants the justice minister authority over the appointment of DIPI's director and establishes a politically appointed arbiter within the department. Crucially, it removes DIPI from the purview of professional prosecutors, reclassifying it as an "independent" agency within the Justice Ministry. While nominally independent, the justice minister will effectively control the appointment process for the director through a committee where they hold a majority.

Critics, led by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, have strongly condemned the legislation. Baharav-Miara asserted that the law "removes the barrier between the political echelon and law enforcement," thereby causing "severe harm to the entire law enforcement system, to its independence, to the basic principles of a democratic regime, and to the public."

It’s very good that DIPI will no lon

— Itamar Ben GvirNational Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir praised the law's passage, suggesting it would reform the internal investigations department.

Conversely, supporters of the bill, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, hailed its passage. Ben Gvir accused the Attorney General of transforming DIPI into "a private police force meant to sow fear among officers." Right-wing politicians have long sought to reform DIPI, citing alleged conflicts of interest when it operated under the State Attorney's Office due to its close ties with the police. Moshe Saada, a former deputy head of internal investigations, argued that DIPI had "strayed from its values."

[DIPI] has strayed from its values.

— Moshe SaadaMK Moshe Saada, a former deputy head of internal investigations, argued that the department had lost its way.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Israel in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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