Israel Election Committee Permits Netanyahu Meeting With Police Chief

Central Elections Committee Chairman Noam Sohlberg permitted Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to meet with Police Commissioner Daniel Levy on Sunday. The decision followed petitions from the Yashar party and the organization Bochrim BeYisrael, who argued the meeting constituted improper election interference and the illegal use of public resources for campaigning.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara opposed the gathering, arguing there was no justification for political leadership to involve themselves in election integrity. The Yashar party further alleged that Netanyahu was attempting to sabotage the election and undermine public trust in the results to prepare for a potential loss.

Netanyahu's legal team and the Likud party defended the meeting as a routine security follow-up intended to prevent terrorist attempts to disrupt the vote and prevent loss of life. Justice Sohlberg ruled that the meeting could proceed but explicitly forbade the participants from discussing the election process or matters under the jurisdiction of the Central Elections Committee.

During the proceedings, Police Commissioner Daniel Levy assured the Prime Minister that the police would act to safeguard Israeli democracy and maintain public order. Justice Sohlberg emphasized that the Prime Minister and National Security Minister lack the authority to direct police on election administration.