Sarah Ben-Nun

The practical significance of the ruling is that Ben-Gvir remains in office and is not stripped of all influence over police affairs, but the court sharply narrowed the scope of his operations.

A public dispute broke out between Israel Police and the State Attorney’s Office over the handling of protest cases, with police accusing the prosecution of abandoning officers.

According to the indictment, Abu Abed’s contact with the handler began around October, after she was approached on Telegram by someone who initially presented the work as innocuous paid filming jobs.

“Gali Baharav-Miara wants to take your voice from you,” Ben-Gvir said at a press conference outside the High Court before the hearing began.

At stake is not only Ben-Gvir’s future in office, but a broader constitutional line: how far a minister charged with setting policy may go in pressing the police on certain issues.

The hearing will be held before an expanded nine-justice panel and, in an unusual procedural step, will be broadcast live while closed to the public because of concern over disruptions.

The petition was filed after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved Gofman’s appointment, after he cleared the Senior Appointments Advisory Committee, and ahead of his scheduled June 2 entry.

The prosecution asks the court to review a Shin Bet opinion regarding Netanyahu’s testimony cancellation request, emphasizing the need for transparency and proper procedure in the trial.

The petitions, first filed in 2020, were brought by female candidates and service members seeking equal access to screening and service in elite units, including the infantry and maneuvering armor.

The attacker entered the complainant’s second-floor apartment through the balcony in the early morning hours and overpowered her as she went to check noises from the living room.