Jerusalem: Israel's Supreme Court has mandated that far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir respond to petitions demanding his dismissal within six days. The court's order comes amid accusations from Israeli human rights groups that Ben-Gvir is interfering in operational police matters, a charge that has sparked calls for his removal from office. Ben-Gvir, however, maintains that the police force is within his jurisdiction as the national security minister.

According to Anadolu Agency, the controversy surrounding Ben-Gvir's conduct as minister has been a point of concern dating back to February, when Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara raised alarms in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a sharp rebuke, Ben-Gvir accused Baharav-Miara of attempting a coup against the elected government and demanded her dismissal. The Israeli government subsequently voted unanimously in March to withdraw confidence from Baharav-Miara, further escalating the political tensions.

Ben-Gvir, known for his incendiary anti-Palestinian rhetoric, has been a vocal advocate for continuing Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip, where the ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering death toll of nearly 51,400 people since October 2023. The international community has taken note of the situation, as evidenced by the International Criminal Court's issuance of arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its actions in the enclave.