Israeli Supreme Court Issues Restraining Order Requiring Netanyahu to Explain His Decision Not to Dismiss Ben Gvir

SadaNews - The Israeli Supreme Court issued a restraining order today, Wednesday, against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding him to justify his refusal to dismiss National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

The court expanded the judicial panel to nine judges who will consider petitions calling for Ben Gvir’s dismissal. The court demanded that Netanyahu include in his justification the practices of Ben Gvir concerning his interference in police operations in both investigations and appointments, and that he address the "core issue" in the petitions.

The judges decided that both Netanyahu and Ben Gvir must submit their statements to the court by the deadline of March 10.

In response to the court's decision, Ben Gvir claimed that "you do not have jurisdiction. There will be no coup."

Ben Gvir submitted a request to the Supreme Court today, asking the court to refrain from issuing a restraining order requiring Netanyahu to explain his reasons for not dismissing him before holding a court session to schedule a hearing for the petitions.

There is concern within the coalition that a majority among the nine judges reviewing the petitions will decide that Ben Gvir must be dismissed from his ministerial position, arguing that with this judicial panel, the Chief Justice, Yitzhak Amit, is "rushing toward a constitutional crisis."

Three weeks ago, coalition party leaders sent a message to Netanyahu urging him not to comply with the Supreme Court's decision in this matter. They also attacked the government’s legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, who announced that Netanyahu must justify why he has not dismissed Ben Gvir.

The coalition leaders demand that Netanyahu not comply with the Supreme Court’s order to dismiss Ben Gvir
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The coalition leaders demand that Netanyahu not comply with the Supreme Court’s order to dismiss Ben Gvir
In their message to Netanyahu, the coalition party leaders stated that "the attempt by the ousted legal advisor (the court canceled the government’s decision to dismiss her) is a coup attempt against democracy. We will stand as a strong barrier against an unfounded dismissal of a minister in the government."

Baharav-Miara requested the Supreme Court at the beginning of this year to issue a restraining order requiring Netanyahu to explain his reasons for not dismissing Ben Gvir, stating that "Ben Gvir is abusing his position to inappropriately influence the Israeli police’s operations in highly sensitive areas of law enforcement and investigations, targeting fundamental democratic principles."

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported a rift in relations between Ben Gvir and the Police Inspector General, Dany Levy, due to Ben Gvir’s interventions in police work and the appointment of officers.