Israeli National Security Minister Halts Police Funding Amid Dispute

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is reportedly withholding hundreds of millions of shekels designated for the police, causing significant friction between his ministry and the police leadership. The sum in question is 333 million shekels from the Treasury, currently held by the Ministry of Public Security.

Sources within the police claim Ben-Gvir is weakening the organization by using the funds as leverage in unrelated disputes with the Police Commissioner. "He fights protection rackets while simultaneously operating protection rackets on the police," the sources stated, accusing the minister of hypocrisy.

Ben-Gvir's office denied these allegations, asserting that the funds will not be transferred until their allocation is thoroughly reviewed. A spokesperson stated, "There will be no showy celebrations at the expense of the field. Money that the minister transferred was divided for upgrading vehicles for the Police Commissioner and staff, instead of resources going to the field and benefiting the officers. The Commissioner and his associates are taking for themselves and using the money, and this is unacceptable to the minister."

This funding dispute follows a separate report that Ben-Gvir informed the Police Commissioner that no new appointments would be made within the police force until after the upcoming elections. Ben-Gvir cited the Commissioner's alleged delay in advancing appointments, only raising the issue as elections approached, as the reason for his decision.