Israeli High Court rules out government appointee for Sde Teiman abuse leak inquiry

Israel’s High Court of Justice has blocked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu government’s choice to lead the Sde Teiman abuse leak inquiry.

The Supreme Court president and justices stated that retired Israeli judge Yosef Ben Hamo does not meet the court's criteria for appointment as an official overseeing the investigation because he is not a senior state employee.

"In such a case, there is a heightened concern that this individual will act as the minister's emissary," justice Yael Willner said.

"This is in contrast to a civil servant who already holds a specific position in public service, and alongside their routine duties, is assigned additional responsibility by the minister to supervise the investigation."

She also added that the purpose of a civil servant is "to mitigate concern of improper interference by the ministerial level and to prevent involvement of extraneous considerations."

Ben Hamo was selected by Justice Minister Yariv Levin to investigate whether former Israeli Army military advocate general Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi leaked a video showing alleged abuse of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention center.