Netanyahu, under legal duress, agrees to tap interior minister after year-long vacancy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to appoint a new interior minister, ending a year-long vacancy in the critical post, under legal pressure from the High Court of Justice. The agreement came as part of a broader effort to resolve legal challenges surrounding the distribution of governmental powers, particularly concerning the responsibilities typically held by the interior ministry. According to the Attorney General’s office, the move was intended to address growing complications arising from the lack of a permanent minister and the transfer of certain duties to Netanyahu himself, who is currently embroiled in multiple corruption trials. The legal impasse began in July 2025, when Interior Minister Moshe Arbel resigned following a dispute with his coalition partner, the Shas party, over the issue of mandatory military service for ultra-Orthodox Israelis. His departure left the position vacant, prompting the Movement for Quality Government in Israel to file a petition with the High Court. The group argued that the prolonged absence of a permanent interior minister violated constitutional principles and undermined the functioning of the executive branch. They also sought to invalidate government decisions that had shifted some of the ministry’s responsibilities to Netanyahu, a practice they claimed was legally unsound. In response to the court’s inquiry, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara stated that Netanyahu had committed to appointing a new interior minister during the current election period, though no specific deadline was set. She noted that the absence of a permanent minister had led to mounting legal and administrative challenges, affecting areas such as voter registration, immigration policy, and local governance. These issues, she emphasized, had become increasingly problematic as time progressed without resolution. Interior Ministry functions have been temporarily managed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin since Arbel’s resignation, but his interim role ended in October 2025. This transition highlighted the urgency of finding a permanent replacement, especially given the high stakes associated with the interior ministry’s wide-ranging responsibilities. Tomer Naor, deputy director of the Movement for Quality Government, criticized the reliance on temporary measures, stating that such arrangements could not sustain effective governance over an extended period. He stressed that mere intentions to appoint a minister were insufficient and that continuous oversight would be necessary to ensure compliance with legal standards. Recent reports suggest that Likud Party member Ofir Katz is among the leading contenders for the interior minister position. Israeli media, including Channel 13, indicated that Katz is being seriously considered, though a final decision is pending. The selection process is expected to occur after Likud’s primary elections, originally scheduled for earlier in the year but delayed due to internal party disputes. The timing of the appointment aligns with the upcoming October 27 elections, further complicating the political landscape. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that the interior ministry operates within its constitutional mandate and that the government adheres to established legal frameworks. With the potential for further legal scrutiny, the appointment of a permanent interior minister represents a crucial step toward stabilizing the administration and addressing longstanding concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of the prime minister.