Police Commissioner Refuses Meeting With National Security Minister Over Budget, Appointments

Police Commissioner Rancho Dani Levi has stated he will not meet with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir until the minister approves the requested budget and key appointments for the Israel Police. This escalation follows a letter Levi sent to Ben-Gvir the previous day, warning that the delay in funding is immediately harming the police's operational capabilities, public service, and national security.

In his letter, Levi emphasized that the continued withholding of dedicated police funds by the ministry is unacceptable, prioritizing the welfare of Israeli citizens and police officers. He reminded Ben-Gvir that the 2026 budget, agreed upon by the ministry and the Treasury, includes NIS 450 million, which has been temporarily allocated but awaits final approval of detailed police plans.

Levi argued that the failure to transfer the budget will severely impair the police's ability to respond to incidents, thwart terror and crime, enforce law and order, and prevent traffic accidents. He also warned of broader negative impacts on public service, officers themselves, and the loss of public funds.

The dispute has spilled into public events, with Ben-Gvir notably absent from a police Rosh Hashanah ceremony. Senior police officials criticized the minister's absence, stating he harms the organization and that ego games are preventing the awarding of ranks. The conflict reached a peak after the senior command discussed appointments for approximately 12 deputy commissioner-level officers, defying the minister's request to postpone approvals until after elections. Police officials questioned the minister's reasoning, calling his argument for delaying appointments due to elections "nonsense."