Israel Police Appointments Frozen by National Security Minister Ahead of Elections

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced Sunday that all appointments within the Israel Police would be frozen until after the upcoming elections, despite a significant shortage of senior officers. The decision came just one day before a planned round of extensive promotions and appointments.

The immediate trigger for the freeze, according to sources in Ben-Gvir's office, was the Police Commissioner's intention to appoint Superintendent Tamar Liberty as Deputy Legal Advisor for the police. A source from Ben-Gvir's office claimed this was "the Attorney General's appointment," indicating a dispute over the decision-making process. Police confirmed "significant discussions" had taken place regarding Liberty's appointment.

Originally, 11 deputy commissioners and 130 assistant commissioners and superintendents were slated for new roles. Ben-Gvir stated that making senior appointments about six weeks before elections could be perceived by the public as a "hijack" or a politically motivated maneuver. He declared that all appointments would be halted, except for urgent cases to be reviewed individually.

Ben-Gvir also accused Police Commissioner Danny Levi of delaying appointments for months, despite Ben-Gvir's requests to move forward and warnings about the approaching election period. He expressed surprise that Levi now sought to proceed with the appointments so close to the election. Ben-Gvir asserted that no further senior police appointments would occur until after the elections, suggesting that the next minister, whoever that may be, should handle the appointments.

Sources close to the Police Commissioner countered that the police were following standard procedures for assignments and promotions and expected the minister to support the force's decisions, as he does with other organizations under his ministry. The article also recalls Ben-Gvir's previous actions in December 2022, before he took office, when he asked the Attorney General to halt senior police appointments before the new government was sworn in, citing similar concerns about "hijacks" by the outgoing minister and police commissioner.