Israel Police Chief and National Security Minister Clash Over Appointments, Funds

A severe dispute has erupted between Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Danny Levy, threatening to paralyze senior command appointments within the Israel Police. While the conflict appears to be a procedural disagreement over making senior appointments before elections, it masks a deeper power struggle. At the heart of the dispute is the Commissioner's intention to appoint Superintendent Tamar Liberty as Deputy Legal Advisor to the Police, alongside approximately 140 other critical appointments. Ben-Gvir announced a freeze on these appointments, citing the election period, but the police completed the first round as planned, accusing the minister of attempting to dictate political appointments and deliberately withholding hundreds of millions of shekels essential for operational activities.

The police leadership has pushed back strongly against the minister's interference, stating that the appointment process was professional and that no unqualified individuals will be appointed. They are awaiting the minister's signature on the approved nominations, warning that they will consult with the legal advisor on how to proceed if he refuses. Ben-Gvir's office claims the real issue is the planned appointment of Liberty, whom they allege is a loyalist of the Attorney General, a claim the police vehemently deny, stating Liberty's appointment was finalized after the minister's letter was sent and that the process was coordinated with him.

Ben-Gvir based his decision to freeze appointments on the argument that he had previously requested a halt to appointments before elections. However, the Police Commissioner's office disputes this interpretation, arguing that restrictions primarily apply to commissioner-level appointments and that the police cannot function without commanders. The Commissioner intends to seek special approval for two commissioner-level appointments, including a new head for the Traffic Division.

Adding to the conflict, the Deputy Attorney General, Gil Limon, has formally requested an examination into potential political involvement by the minister in the appointment process. Limon cited previous Supreme Court rulings emphasizing restraint during election periods and the need for legal opinions on each appointment, particularly given the minister's public statements about his involvement.

Simultaneously, the dispute has extended to financial matters, with the police revealing that approximately 400 million shekels allocated to them have been held up by the National Security Ministry since March. Police officials assert this is operational funding essential for the force's functioning, including purchasing patrol cars and maintaining the vehicle fleet, and they are prepared to escalate the matter to the Prime Minister, the media, and potentially the Supreme Court if the funds are not released.

The current tensions echo a similar confrontation from the previous year during a police Rosh Hashanah ceremony, where Ben-Gvir reportedly refused to sign off on promotions. The police hope the minister will sign the pending appointments before a planned New Year's toast on Wednesday. If he persists in his refusal, some nominated officers are reportedly considering a direct appeal to the Supreme Court.