Netanyahu and Police Commissioner Clash Over Appointments Amid Election Concerns

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has publicly criticized Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, accusing him of being controlled by the Attorney General regarding senior police appointments. This dispute arose after Shabtai sent a letter to Ben-Gvir and Prime Minister Netanyahu warning of operational consequences due to delays in transferring hundreds of millions of shekels to the police budget, particularly concerning during the election period.

Ben-Gvir dismissed the budget as the core issue, stating he has secured significant funding for the police and raised officers' salaries. Instead, he asserted the disagreement centers on appointments during elections and Shabtai's alleged subservience to the Attorney General, who reportedly insists on promoting Tamar Liberty, a former aide to ex-commissioner Roni Alsheich. Ben-Gvir vowed not to allow what he called a "criminal" Attorney General to interfere with police appointments, especially questionable ones close to an election.

Earlier in the week, Shabtai appointed Superintendent Tamar Liberty as Deputy Legal Advisor to the Police, despite Ben-Gvir's opposition. Ben-Gvir's letter to Shabtai highlighted that the elections are scheduled for October 27th, with the Knesset already in recess. He argued that government activity, including public service appointments, is restricted during election periods.

Ben-Gvir recalled proposing a round of appointments four months prior, but Shabtai did not present a list of candidates then. Ben-Gvir stated his position is that "restraint must be exercised, for fear of harming public trust," and he opposes senior police appointments at this time. He drew a parallel to the current government's inception, when the Attorney General prohibited senior police appointments just before the new government took office, arguing a similar standard should apply now.

Concluding his remarks, Ben-Gvir informed Shabtai that as the minister responsible for the police, there would be no further senior police appointments until after the elections.