Against the backdrop of the revelation of the Shin Bet leaks: The Constitution, Law and Justice Committee is holding a discussion today (Sunday) on "selective enforcement in the field of leaks.".
At the beginning of the discussion, Legal Advisor to the Prime Minister Gali Baharav Mayara disavowed the title of the committee discussion, saying that contrary to the title, there is no selective enforcement.
Miara claimed: "The law enforcement system operates consistently and objectively according to known standards that are applied on a case-by-case basis. The system exercises great caution in activities that could harm freedom of expression and the press.".
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She added: "A list of questions was sent to us prior to the discussion on the subject of investigating journalists. The list included questions concerning pending investigations, as well as baseless assumptions. It would have been better if these questions had not been written," and hinted in her remarks that the committee had tried to intervene in the investigation last week: "There was concern that the discussion in the honorable committee would come to an ongoing investigation. This is not a normal situation.".
The Attorney General's remarks caused a stir among members of the Constitution Committee and led to clashes between coalition members and opposition members.
The chairman of the Constitution Committee, MK Simcha Rotman, responded to her remarks by saying: "It is disrespectful that you began your remarks by saying that there is no selective enforcement," and added in a rebuke: "They give out marks for questions from Knesset members even if they are about the Attorney General.".
Knesset members asked questions about the attorney general's past - and Limor Son Har Melech responded: "She didn't say anything, didn't say anything, just empty slogans.".
When she made allegations about the "thought police," committee chairwoman Simcha Rothman stopped her: "This is an illegitimate statement." MK Yitzhak Kreuzer responded: "You won't shut us up.".
MK Ariel Kelner attacked Baharav Miara: "The attorney general's answers are GPT answers.".
During the heated debate, MK Pnina Tamano Shata refused to leave after the committee chairman ordered it, and like MK Karin Al-Harrar, she was also ejected following a disruption of the debate. Al-Harrar was ejected twice, while Shata was ejected three times.
During the discussion, the Shin Bet representative stated that the organization did not collect information on ministers or Knesset members. According to him, the service has concerns – which existed in the past and still exists today – about infiltration of law enforcement agencies by Kahanist elements.
The discussion took place against the backdrop of the arrest of a Shin Bet agent, known as A., who leaked a document regarding an investigation allegedly conducted by the Shin Bet against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, claiming links to Kahanism in the government.
During the discussion, a Shin Bet representative emphasized that although the fear of infiltration exists, no information was collected on public figures, and that the service's activities are focused on maintaining state security and the law.
