National Security Minister Ben-Gvir Clashes With Police Chief Over Appointments

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly stated that Police Commissioner Danny Levi should follow his directives, citing difficulties the commissioner faces in standing up to the Attorney General. "There will be no appointments, except in exceptional cases," Ben-Gvir said in a radio interview on Monday. He added, "Sometimes it's hard for him to stand up to the Attorney General. When someone doesn't do what she wants, they stitch him up with a case. He needs to listen to me because I am the responsible minister and she is an advisor."

Ben-Gvir announced on Sunday that no new appointments would be made within the police force until after the upcoming elections. He criticized the commissioner for delaying a round of appointments for four months despite his urging, only to propose them now as elections approach. Ben-Gvir argued that it is unethical to force appointments at the top of the police, which relies on public trust, during an election period.