National Police Chief Ben-Gvir Doubled Helicopter Use Compared to Predecessor

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has reportedly used police helicopters twice as often as his predecessor, former minister Omer Barlev. While Barlev used helicopters 17 times during his tenure, Ben-Gvir has utilized them 34 times since taking office.

These flights were primarily for security assessments and operational needs, according to sources familiar with the matter. The data, obtained through a freedom of information request, covers the period from January 2023 to the present.

Ben-Gvir's office stated that the minister's use of helicopters is dictated by operational needs and security assessments, emphasizing that his predecessor also made extensive use of such resources. The ministry did not provide specific details on the nature of the missions or the destinations.