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

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has sent a sharp letter to Police Commissioner Danny Levi, accusing him of harming police officers and creating false hope regarding upcoming appointments. Ben-Gvir's criticism comes amid a dispute over senior police nominations, particularly the appointment of Tamar Liberty as deputy legal advisor to the police, a move reportedly approved by Levi after the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, withdrew her objection.

Ben-Gvir asserted in his letter that the authority to appoint police officials rests solely with the minister, not the commissioner or the attorney general, vowing not to let the police become a "puppet on a string" of the legal advisor. This statement follows a planned meeting between the commissioner and the attorney general to seek approval for permanent appointments for two senior officers, despite the minister's opposition.

Sources within the commissioner's office dismissed Ben-Gvir's claims about Liberty's appointment, calling them "the biggest joke I've ever heard" and stating that the assignments were coordinated in advance. The current conflict escalated after senior command staff discussed the placement of approximately 12 officers, a move the minister had instructed to halt due to the election period.

Ben-Gvir's office accused the commissioner of meeting with the attorney general "behind the minister's back" to signal defiance. However, senior police officials questioned the minister's fears, suggesting his argument for halting appointments due to elections was baseless. Currently, the appointments are stalled pending the minister's signature, and Ben-Gvir is reportedly refusing to take the commissioner's calls.