Supreme Court demands Netanyahu justify keeping deputy director accused of crimes

Israel’s Supreme Court has issued an interim order demanding the Prime Minister’s Office explain why it has not dismissed a deputy director general who faces criminal allegations. The court’s order comes as part of a petition challenging the continued employment of Drorit Steinmetz, who has been implicated in a scandal involving former interior minister Mai Golan.
The interim ruling represents a significant intervention by the judiciary into the executive branch’s personnel decisions. The court has effectively put the brakes on Steinmetz’s position pending a full hearing on the merits of the case.
Adding weight to the court’s concerns, the state’s own legal advisers have also opposed Steinmetz’s continued service in her role. This unusual alignment between the Supreme Court and the government’s own legal counsel underscores the seriousness of the allegations and raises questions about why the Prime Minister’s Office has not already taken action.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between Israel’s judiciary and government, as well as broader questions about accountability in the civil service. The Supreme Court’s order will require Netanyahu’s government to provide substantive justification for maintaining Steinmetz in her position despite the criminal allegations and internal legal opposition.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.