National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir Defends Absolute Support for Security Forces Amid High Court Conflict and Police Interference Allegations

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir slams judicial "weakness" in Dimona speech. Read how his police "backing" is fueling a legal war with the High Court.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT

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

Defiance of Judicial Oversight During National Commemoration

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir utilized a somber Memorial Day ceremony at the Dimona military cemetery to reinforce his contentious leadership philosophy. Speaking before bereaved families on Tuesday, Ben Gvir declared that his administration would never return to "days of weakness," insisting that absolute support for fighters and police officers in the field is the only way to prevent the sacrifice of fallen soldiers from being in vain. This rhetoric appears to be a pointed jab at Israel’s legal establishment, specifically the High Court of Justice, which has expressed growing concern over the minister’s perceived role in politicizing the nation’s internal security apparatus.

High Court Mandates Restrictions on Ministerial Influence

The minister’s remarks follow a significant legal setback last Thursday, when a nine-justice panel of the High Court of Justice ordered Ben Gvir to refrain from interfering in the use of police force against citizens. The court’s decision was the result of multiple petitions demanding Ben Gvir’s dismissal, alleging that his "backing" is selectively applied to officers who align with his political agenda, particularly those involved in aggressive protest dispersal. Supreme Court President Isaac Amit noted during recent hearings that the minister's support for the police appears conditional, sparking fears of a fundamental erosion in law enforcement’s professional restraint and institutional independence.

Internal Conflict Between the Ministry and Attorney General

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has formally backed petitions calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to remove Ben Gvir from his post. The legal standoff centers on whether the minister’s directives constitute undue political interference in operational matters, including ongoing criminal investigations into police conduct. In response to the court’s order to reach an agreement with Baharav-Miara to curb his influence, Ben Gvir has adopted a combative stance, threatening to "blow up negotiations" if the Attorney General attempts to limit his authority over senior police appointments. He maintains that his right to appoint officers who implement his specific policy is a democratic mandate that overrides judicial interference.