Like A Divorced Couple: Levin Changes Locks On Attorney General
Justice Minister Yariv Levin changed the locks on his Tel Aviv office, which the Attorney General sometimes uses, in a small but significant sign of the deep distrust between the two.
The Israeli political world is up in arms at the decision of Justice Minister to change the locks at his Tel Aviv office, which Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara often uses while he's not there - until now.
A scandal over door locks is turning into a symbol of the clash between the elected government of Israel and the unelected but over-powerful judicial branch. Attorney General Baharav-Miara was fired last week by a unanimous government decision but whose dismissal was suspended by the Supreme Court, pending an expanded panel discussion to be held this coming September.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who led the ultimately failed attempt to reassert the Knesset's power over judicial appointments, continues to be the one most at odds with both the Supreme Court and the prosecutorial system.
His office was unapologetic about the decision to change the locks:
"The locks at the minister's office in Tel Aviv were indeed changed. The office is the minister's office and not that of attorney Beharav Miyara. Her attempt to make unauthorized use of the minister's office is another example of questionable conduct from someone who has already been dismissed from her position."
Meanwhile, political leaders in the opposition, as well as the pro-judiciary Israel Bar Association, called it an outrage. The Movement for Quality In Government even demanded an immediate criminal investigation into Minister Levin. The Kaplan street protest movement, which helped entirely derail Levin's reforms, said that Levin belongs in prison.
Amit Becher, the stridently pro-judiciary head of the Israel Bar Association, said that "A Justice Minister who violates the law and court decisions is an existential threat to the state. This evening, the Israel Police must arrive at his home and arrest him. His place is behind bars, not around the government table.
"Every day that Yariv Levin remains in office – Israel is in danger. He must be dismissed immediately and the Bar Association will act to pursue him to the full extent of the law."
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid was similarly furious:
"While the hostages are dying in Gaza and the IDF is fighting for our lives, the Justice Minister is behaving like the worst of criminals and violating clear court rulings.
"In Israel's most difficult hour, we have a government of draft dodgers, corrupt officials, and lawbreakers."
State Camp leader Benny Gantz was more sanguine, mocking the decision as showing that the government is acting like a kindergarten rather than a serious state.