Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein has instructed Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich to hold off appointing a new Israel Police chief and Israel Prison Authority chief until after elections.

Weinstein explained that while the nation’s Basic Law gives a transition government a mandate to continue running the nation as usual, a Supreme Court ruling on the matter instructs such a government to act with restraint. He explained that while he has no doubt the minister’s considerations regarding the appointments are in the realm of professional judgement, such high-level appointments might be viewed by some as politically motivated and as such, the appointments should only be made after the next government is sworn in.

Weinstein explains that the two senior commanders are scheduled to complete their terms on May 1, 2015, and in all likelihood the new government will be sworn in during April so there is ample time to permit the new administration to address the issue.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)