Police Commissioner Warns of National Security Risks Amid Budget Dispute

Police Commissioner Danny Levy has sent a sharp letter to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, with a copy to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding the immediate release of 333 million shekels in police funding. Levy warned that the delay in transferring the promised budget, part of the 2026 fiscal plan, is already harming the police's operational capabilities and national security.

The Commissioner stated that the withheld funds are crucial for purchasing hundreds of operational vehicles, renovating police stations, and equipping officers. He emphasized that the delay "leads to damage to the functioning of the Israel Police, to service for the citizen, and to the security of the state and the public," adding that the situation where dedicated police budgets are held up by the Ministry of National Security "cannot, under any circumstances, continue."

This dispute escalates the ongoing conflict between Ben-Gvir and Levy, which began over police appointments. Ben-Gvir had announced he would not approve appointments during the election period, but Levy proceeded as planned. In response, Ben-Gvir reportedly delayed the transfer of hundreds of millions of shekels allocated to the police.

Levy detailed the potential consequences of the funding freeze, including the inability to replace approximately 330 aging operational vehicles, the potential halt of construction and renovation projects at several police stations, and delays in acquiring essential equipment like weapons and protective gear for new units. He stressed that this directly impacts the police's ability to respond to civilian calls and thwart terrorist and criminal activities.

The letter's dispatch follows a report by N12 detailing heated exchanges between Levy and Ben-Gvir regarding appointments and the budget. Levy urged Ben-Gvir to sign off on officer ranks and approve the budget, while the minister accused him of trying to turn the police into a puppet of the Attorney General.