National Security Ministry Legal Advisor Demands Clarification on Police Appointments

The legal advisor for Israel's National Security Ministry has requested clarification regarding a planned round of appointments within the Israel Police, following an i24NEWS report. Ariel Sizel, the ministry's legal advisor, has asked Police Commissioner Danino Nahon to explain how the intended appointments align with previous positions taken on the matter. Sizel's request, sent to Nahon, specifically addresses a planned meeting of the command staff to discuss additional roles and asks for an explanation of how this intention is consistent with prior stances.

Sources indicate that Sizel is urging the Police Commissioner to halt the planned appointments, which were scheduled for Thursday. This development follows a report from yesterday detailing Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai's intention to proceed with further appointments despite National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's decision to freeze police appointments until after the upcoming elections. Last week, Shabtai and the police command appointed 50 officers to the rank of Assistant Commissioner, but Ben-Gvir refused to sign off on these appointments, leaving the selected officers unable to assume their new roles until the election period concludes.

This situation highlights an escalating confrontation between Minister Ben-Gvir and Commissioner Shabtai over police personnel decisions. Previous reports indicated that former senior police officials are advising the commissioner and that some officers whose promotions are stalled may petition the High Court of Justice against Ben-Gvir.