Police Commissioner Appoints Senior Officers Despite Minister's Objections

Police Commissioner Danny Levy has finalized a round of senior appointments within the Israel Police, including deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners, despite explicit objections from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. While the appointments require the minister's approval by law, Levy proceeded with the decisions. A key appointment reportedly opposed by Ben-Gvir was that of Superintendent Tamar Liberty to the position of Deputy Legal Advisor for the Police, which was said to be at the center of the dispute. Another significant appointment was Superintendent Dana Amit as head of the Prosecution Division.

However, a senior official in the Police Commissioner's office denied that Liberty's appointment caused a rupture between the minister and the commissioner, calling the claim "the biggest joke I've ever heard." The official stated that the decision regarding Liberty was made only about ninety minutes after the minister's letter was sent and that the appointment discussion had been coordinated in advance with Ben-Gvir, with a senior representative of his present.

Following the completion of the appointments, Minister Ben-Gvir reiterated his stance, stating, "There will be no appointments before the elections, except for exceptional cases that will be examined individually. The remaining appointments will be discussed only after the elections." Meanwhile, officers who received appointments indicated that if the minister does not sign off on the decisions, they will consider petitioning the High Court of Justice.

A senior official from the Commissioner's office added, "We expect the minister to sign all the appointments. If he refuses, we will sit with the legal counsel and examine how to proceed, for us, it's all or nothing."