After the Ra’am party filed a petition against Jewish Power party chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir over the demolition process of illegal buildings, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has begun taking action and asked the Israel Land Authority to strip the national security minister of his authority in the matter.
Ben-Gvir quickly responded, informing the Attorney General that he will continue participating in demolition operations of illegal structures in the Negev despite her directive to refrain from doing so. Ben-Gvir claims the instruction is illegal and lacks authority, and made clear he will continue leading the governance reform and the return of state lands.
1+“Your instruction is illegal and lacks authority,” Ben-Gvir wrote. “Not only is there no prohibition on a minister overseeing, visiting and participating in events conducted under his ministry—like every other minister in the past—but it is even desirable. And it should be emphasized that this is not about replacing the executing body and not about carrying out operational actions, but about enforcement activity carried out by state employees or public servants in the presence of a political echelon on behalf of the government and on behalf of the public that sent them.”
“Therefore, I will continue to lead the governance reform and the return of state lands and will continue to take an active part in the field and closely examine the illegal building demolition project and give backing to the dedicated police officers and state employees who are implementing my policy,” he added. “After years, you and your predecessors in the position allowed lawlessness and forgot there is a concept called ‘law enforcement.’ Also, in the Negev, it would be better if you blessed every single demolition carried out on my watch.”
1+