Israeli National Security Minister Clashes With Police Chief Over Budget

A significant dispute has intensified between Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai concerning the allocation of the police budget. Sources close to Ben-Gvir claim that Shabtai is demanding additional resources for headquarters staff and senior officials, including the establishment of a special fund for the commissioner himself. These sources allege that Shabtai also seeks funds for vehicles and other expenses for his close associates.

Conversely, Minister Ben-Gvir insists that any newly acquired funds for the police should be prioritized for officers and combatants operating in the field. His office argues that creating another special fund for the commissioner is unjustified, especially given the police's current heavy workload and security challenges. They emphasize the need to allocate resources to equipment, personnel, and operational capabilities instead.

Ben-Gvir's camp has reportedly sent a stern message to Shabtai, stating, "If the money is not allocated for field duties, then you will not receive it either." The National Security Ministry frames the disagreement as a fundamental debate over budget distribution, rather than a personal conflict between the minister and the commissioner. They maintain that budget increases should primarily benefit frontline officers and operational needs, not administrative expenses or the improvement of senior staff conditions.