Police Commissioner Clashes With National Security Minister Over West Bank Authority Transfer
Police Commissioner Danny Levi has ordered his officers to halt coordination with the IDF regarding the transfer of law enforcement authority in the West Bank, directly opposing the stance of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. This move escalates a significant rift between the police leadership and the government.
In a closed meeting with senior officers, including the commander of the Judea and Samaria (Shai) district, Commissioner Levi expressed strong opposition to transferring enforcement powers from the IDF to the police in the West Bank. Minister Ben-Gvir had recently hailed this transfer as an achievement, aiming to expand police control in the area.
Levi argued that the police are repeatedly forced to take responsibility for failures and incidents that fall under the IDF's direct purview. Consequently, he instructed his field commanders to cease all discussions with military representatives on the matter. This decision is seen as a direct challenge to Minister Ben-Gvir's strategic objective.
Beyond the professional dispute, Commissioner Levi also sparked controversy by venturing into political and diplomatic territory. He reportedly told officers that "a handful of extremists" are causing significant reputational damage to Israel globally. This statement is considered unusual for the head of the police, touching on foreign policy and direct criticism of right-wing activists, a core political issue.
Reactions from within the police force were swift and critical. Sources within the organization attacked the Commissioner, stating he is repeatedly injecting politics into police work and that it is strange for him to comment on diplomatic matters outside his authority. They emphasized that the decision on transferring powers rests with the political echelon, not the Commissioner. This confrontation between the Commissioner and the Minister is developing into an open conflict that could impact police operations in sensitive areas.
