Israel's National Security Minister Halts Police Appointments Ahead of Elections

Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has informed Police Commissioner Danny Levy that he will not approve any new senior appointments within the police force until after the upcoming elections. This decision stems from a significant disagreement between Ben-Gvir and the police command regarding the proposed candidates.

Sources close to Ben-Gvir explained that Commissioner Levy intended to promote officers and individuals identified with the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara. Ben-Gvir intervened to halt these appointments, as his office understood that Levy had reached agreements with the Attorney General without prior coordination and in a manner not acceptable to the minister.

The central point of contention involves the proposed appointment of Tamar Liberty as the deputy legal advisor to the police. Liberty is reportedly aligned with the Attorney General and the outgoing legal advisor, Elazar Kahan. Ben-Gvir had previously made it clear that she would not be promoted within the police's legal department. Despite initially agreeing with the minister, Levy reportedly changed his mind at the last minute and announced her intended appointment, which Ben-Gvir has now blocked.

This move effectively halts a broader round of senior police appointments that Commissioner Levy had planned to initiate following a period of tension over several key positions. The minister's intervention and alleged backroom agreements have brought the entire process to a standstill.