Haim Levinson Says He Applied to Join a Tel Aviv Police Volunteer Unit

Media figure Haim Levinson, formerly a reporter for Haaretz, said on Thursday that he has applied to volunteer in the Israel Police’s standby unit in the Tel Aviv District. The unit is commanded by right-wing activist Yoav Eliasi, better known as “The Shadow.”

Levinson explained that since October 7 he has been thinking about how to contribute more to society. He said his late father was a police officer, and after careful consideration he concluded that continuing that path in the police was the right move for him. “I submitted an application today to volunteer in the Tel Aviv District standby unit,” he wrote, calling it “an emotional moment” and promising to update followers on the process.

The post triggered a wave of reactions online. When one user wrote, “Just don’t go on patrols with The Shadow,” Levinson replied, “I will do whatever is required of me.” Asked in surprise whether The Shadow would be his commander, he answered, “What’s wrong with that?” To others who questioned the chain of command, he said, “Whoever commands, commands. Hierarchy is hierarchy.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir welcomed the move, writing, “Welcome, Levinson!” He said there are 14,000 Israeli volunteers in more than 1,000 standby units he established, calling them a major force multiplier for Israel’s security and “one of the most important security revolutions” in the country. Ben Gvir urged the public to join the police volunteer effort and added that the Tel Aviv standby unit has “an excellent commander” whom he knows personally.