National Security Minister Clashes With Police Chief Over Budget
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has escalated his dispute with Police Commissioner Danny Levi, announcing his ministry will directly procure necessary equipment for the police, bypassing the commissioner's office. In a letter to Levi, Ben-Gvir stated that "Israel Police does not belong to the Commissioner" and that his ministry would handle urgent purchases "without transferring the money itself" to the police. This move is seen as an attempt by Ben-Gvir to seize more authority.
Ben-Gvir claims that approximately 450 million shekels allocated to the police are actually part of his ministry's budget, not the police's. He initially intended to use the funds for police vehicles and station construction but, after reviewing the police's requests, found they included "non-urgent projects." He specifically cited a 7 million shekel request for renovations at Lahav 433, a unit investigating serious crimes, for a project that began last year without approval. He also criticized requests for new vehicles for senior officers.
Consequently, Ben-Gvir decided to "re-examine the uses to which funds will be allocated in the police, prison service, and fire department." He asserted that frontline officers should not suffer due to "ostentatious projects or the desire of various elements to curry favor with the media." He instructed his staff that for urgent needs like operational vehicles or police facility improvements, his ministry would procure them directly for the officers to "ensure appropriate and proper use of funds."
The conflict between Ben-Gvir and Levi has intensified in recent months over issues of police independence, officer appointments, and responses to Supreme Court rulings. Their public clashes include Ben-Gvir interrupting Levi during a discussion on court orders, telling him, "They are provoking you." Ben-Gvir also blocked promotions recommended by Levi and recently froze a round of appointments for 141 officers until after the upcoming elections.
The dispute recently flared again when Levi criticized Ben-Gvir's decision to withhold 333 million shekels from the police budget, calling it a "harm to national security and the ability to cope with all missions."
