National Police Budget Held Up Amid Minister's Dispute With Commissioner

A significant budget dispute has erupted between Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Police Commissioner, escalating tensions beyond previous disagreements. Approximately 333 million shekels (about $90 million USD) allocated to the Israel Police from the national treasury are currently being held by the Ministry of National Security and have not been transferred to the police force.

Sources within the police claim this delay is hindering the organization's operational capabilities and weakening its effectiveness. They allege Minister Ben-Gvir is using the funds as leverage in his ongoing disputes with the Commissioner, even though the core conflicts do not directly involve budgetary matters. One police source remarked, "He fights protection rackets and at the same time operates protection rackets on the police."

However, those close to Minister Ben-Gvir deny these accusations, stating that the funds will only be released after a thorough review of how they will be utilized. They emphasized, "There will be no showy celebrations at the expense of the field."

Ben-Gvir's associates further contend that funds previously allocated by the minister were not directed to officers on the ground as intended. They claim that money transferred by the minister was instead used for upgrading vehicles for the Commissioner and his staff, rather than reaching the officers who need it. "Money the minister transferred was divided for upgrading vehicles for the Commissioner and staff instead of resources going to the field and serving the officers. The Commissioner and his entourage are taking for themselves and using the money, and this is unacceptable to the minister," they stated.

Adding to the friction, the dispute has also intensified over police appointments. Ben-Gvir announced that no new appointments within the police will be approved until after the upcoming elections. He wrote to the Commissioner, "For four months, you have refrained from advancing a round of appointments despite my urgings, and you have awakened only with our entry into the election period."