Ben Gvir Threatens Protest Crackdown: 24-Hour Ultimatum

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has escalated tensions with Israel’s Attorney General, giving the office a 24-hour deadline to respond to his controversial policy proposal on restricting protests. The minister warned that if the Attorney General fails to reply, he will implement the measures unilaterally.

Ben Gvir insists that as national security minister, he has the authority and even the duty to set policy governing police actions during demonstrations, despite opposition from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. He accused the AG’s office of attempting to “extort” him by threatening not to defend him in High Court petitions seeking his removal from office.

In a letter sent to the Attorney General’s Office, Ben Gvir wrote,

“Your letter reflects a threefold error: that I could be threatened… misled on legal matters… or that my intention to set policy could be thwarted… which is not possible.” He emphasized that the proposed policy is fully within his legal remit.

The Attorney General’s Office responded that Ben Gvir’s original proposal violates agreed-upon principles designed to prevent interference with police policy related to freedom of expression, protest, and appointments. The office said it could only review a revised proposal that conforms to the framework established in April, which had secured their support for Ben Gvir in High Court proceedings.

Ben Gvir dismissed the objections as “illegitimate politicization” and vowed that “threats and extortion” would not stop him. He concluded by granting the office a 24-hour window to provide formal legal advice before moving forward with enforcement.

The standoff underscores mounting friction between the minister and Israel’s top legal authority, with potential implications for the policing of protests and civil liberties in the country.