High Court Convenes Secret Hearing on Ben Gvir Dismissal Amid Rising Fears of Civil Unrest

High Court judges hear petitions to fire Minister Itamar Ben Gvir amid security concerns. Follow the latest on the police politicization case in Jerusalem.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 15, 2026, 4:52 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

A Judicial Lockdown in the Face of Volatility

The High Court of Justice has taken the extraordinary step of closing its doors to the public as it begins a high stakes hearing regarding the tenure of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Justice Isaac Amit, presiding over the session, authorized a live stream of the proceedings to maintain transparency while physically securing the courtroom against potential disruption. This decision reflects the heightened state of tension surrounding the case, as judicial officials expressed direct fears that allowing public attendance could lead to chaos and impede the delivery of justice in a matter of national significance.

Eruptions of Hostility Within the Courtroom

The volatility of the proceedings was evidenced immediately upon the commencement of the hearing when a high profile political confrontation forced a pause in the agenda. Deputy Minister Almog Cohen, a member of Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party, was forcibly removed from the courtroom following a verbal assault on the bench. Cohen reportedly characterized Justice Amit as corrupt and demanded his recusal, a move that highlights the deep seated friction between the current government’s right wing flank and the country’s highest judicial authority.

Allegations of Systematic Police Politicization

At the heart of the four separate petitions is the accusation that Ben Gvir has overstepped his ministerial bounds by systematically interfering in the operational independence of the Israel Police. Petitioners argue that the minister has exerted unlawful pressure on police commanders regarding the handling of protests and the conduct of sensitive investigations. By allegedly dictating tactical responses, Ben Gvir is accused of eroding the essential wall between political interest and impartial law enforcement, a shift that critics claim threatens the democratic foundations of the state.