Story perspectives

Justice Sohlberg Rejects Bid to Block Netanyahu–Police Meeting

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 8:06 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Sohlberg Rejects Petition

Justice Noam Sohlberg rejected a petition to block Netanyahu’s meeting with Police chief Daniel Levy and Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Justice Sohlberg warned the prime minister and minister cannot direct police on election matters.
Likud said the meeting was a security follow-up, not about election integrity.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara objected, saying election conduct belongs to the Central Elections Committee.

Summary

CEC Faces Petition Flood

The Central Elections Committee received 276 petitions, nearly five times the 2022 total.
Justice Noam Sohlberg ruled on 31 petitions in the past week, straining resources.
Approximately 100,000 workers will staff 12,018 polling stations with 18,000 ballot boxes.
Around 15,000 cameras will monitor voting and report irregularities.
The CEC budget is NIS 690 million (about $222 million).

History

Historical Context

The 1965 Knesset Elections Law created a 15-member independent Central Elections Committee, funded with 5 million shekels and giving the Attorney General final authority over elections. Justice Noam Sohlberg’s refusal to let Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu direct police, while the committee processes 276 petitions and oversees a NIS 690 million polling budget, shows the law’s enduring check on political interference.

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Sohlberg Rejects Petition

Justice Noam Sohlberg rejected a petition to block Netanyahu’s meeting with Police chief Daniel Levy and Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Justice Sohlberg warned the prime minister and minister cannot direct police on election matters.
Likud said the meeting was a security follow-up, not about election integrity.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara objected, saying election conduct belongs to the Central Elections Committee.

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