The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear petitions this morning (Wednesday) to impeach National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The hearing will be held under exceptional restrictions and behind closed doors, as the court administration has decided to block entry to the general public to prevent disruptions in the courtroom.
Addressing the press before the hearing, Ben-Gvir chose not to refute Attorney General Gali Bahrav-Miara's claims, but adopted them proudly as proof that he had followed through on his promises.
"She says that I determine policy and change the police? She's right. She says that I appointed more than 1,100 officers to implement my policies? She's right. She says that I back up officers and support Force 100 in the face of a blood libel against them? She's right. The people of Israel elected Otzma Yehudit and me to lead all these things and, thank G-d, we succeeded."
Ben-Gvir did not hold back when talking about the Attorney General, whom he referred to as the "fired attorney." According to the minister, the only reason for the Supreme Court hearing is the fact that he dared to control his ministry: "I am not the prosecution's doll. I am not a plant. I am a minister who was elected to rule. The Attorney General wants a ceremonial minister; the people of Israel want a minister of action. The only reason we are here today is that I stood by my word to voters, I promised policy, I promised governance, I promised that I would control my ministry, that is exactly what I did, and that is what the fired attorney can't stand."
Toward the end of his remarks, Ben-Gvir sent a message to the judges and judicial system: "The time has come that those who vote for the right will get the right. The attempt to interfere in the appointment of a minister or their authority is dangerous. It is a slippery slope to a constitutional crisis. In a democracy, the minister determines policy, and the minister also appoints those who execute it. Not the Attorney General, not the prosecution, and not their emissaries. Don't drag the state of Israel there. The democracy will not fall. But the judicial dictatorship will."
Ben-Gvir concluded by addressing his supporters: "The people are not afraid, the people are not deterred, the people do not retreat, the people chose the right, and they will get the right, and whoever doesn't accept it is invited to run in the elections. I was elected to rule, and we will rule."
The hearing is expected to take several hours as an expanded panel of nine judges will examine the claims regarding the minister's capability to continue in his position and the impact of his conduct on the work of the police.
Despite the courtroom being closed to the general public, Knesset members from the coalition and opposition will be granted entry.
MK Limor Son Har-Melech, who arrived to support her party leader, told Arutz Sheva-Israel National News: “Our struggle against the Supreme Court of Israel and the attorney general is not that of the Otzma Yehudit faction, but of a state that seeks democracy, a reformed judicial system, and that the will of the people be respected."
She added: “If the Supreme Court rules to dismiss the minister, it will lead to a constitutional crisis."
Dozens have heeded the calls by right-wing movements to protest outside the court against what they call the "judicial dictatorship" and the attempt to impeach an elected minister.
The Court Guard, which has been preparing for the event over the past two weeks, has significantly increased the presence of forces in areas around the building. Additionally, a significant force of riot police arrived at the area ahead of the hearing.
On Monday, Ben-Gvir wrote similar remarks: "The Supreme Court will hear the delusional and anti-democratic request to impeach me. The fired Attorney General, Gali Baharav Miara, says that I make policies, change the police, interfere with appointments, back officers, support Force 100, and stand behind IPS Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi. The truth is - she's right."
"That's why I was elected. Not to be a plant, not to cut ribbon, and not to be the prosecution's model. I was elected to lead. The nation elected the right in order to get right-wing policies. The Attorney General will not determine policies, the prosecution will not appoint officers, and their emissaries will not override the will of the voter. We were elected to rule, and with G-d's help, we will rule," the minister added.