The escalating conflict between Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara hit a new high on Tuesday. On Levin's orders, locks were changed at the Justice Ministry's Tel Aviv office, a shared space used by both the minister and the attorney general on a coordinated schedule.
Baharav-Miara's staff arrived and found themselves unable to enter. In the past, the office was shared by justice ministers and attorneys general, including Avichai Mendelblit and Yehuda Weinstein, with usage carefully coordinated. Tuesday was a day Levin was not scheduled to use the office.
Levin responded, "This claim is utterly baseless. The locks at the minister's Tel Aviv office were changed because it is the minister's office, not Attorney General Baharav-Miara's. Her unauthorized attempt to use it reflects her ongoing questionable behavior, especially after her dismissal was decided."
Knesset Member Karine Elharrar (Yesh Atid) declared, "The Supreme Court's deputy president made it clear: The attorney general's status must remain unchanged. Changing her office locks violates this ruling and sets the stage for anarchy in Israel. Citizens may now act without regard for law or justice."
Knesset Member Gilad Kariv urged a nationwide halt, stating, "If the locks were changed, this is a blatant act of aggression against the Supreme Court's ruling. Prominent figures have said refusing to follow Supreme Court decisions crosses a red line, requiring the country to stop. If Levin is responsible, it's time to shut down the nation. Words alone are insufficient – action is needed."
Amit Becher, head of the Israel Bar Association, said, "Yariv Levin is a grave threat to Israel's existence. He's not just locking out the attorney general – he's locking out the rule of law. This move is part of a reckless campaign to dismantle the judiciary, openly defying the Supreme Court. A justice minister who breaks the law is a danger to the state. Israel Police must arrest him tonight. His place is in prison. Every day he remains in office endangers Israel."
The Movement for Quality Government in Israel called for an immediate probe, stating, "This serious action blatantly undermines the attorney general's independence and proper governance. The minister and his team must not use violence or takeovers against an attorney general whose dismissal was halted by the Supreme Court. This behavior exposes the government's true intent – not a 'mechanism change' but a deliberate political move to silence opposition. We demand the police launch a criminal investigation against Levin and his staff to assess abuse of power and interference with official duties."
