Police Commissioner Taps New Spokesperson Amid Minister's Hesitation

Police Commissioner Danny Levi intends to appoint Superintendent Arie Doron as the new head of the Police Spokesperson Unit, replacing Lior Abudraham. Doron is also slated for promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner. However, Doron's advancement is uncertain as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is reportedly unwilling to approve the promotion.

Earlier this month, Commissioner Levi approved Abudraham's voluntary resignation, citing health issues. Levi informed Abudraham that his health condition prevented continued service. Abudraham had been under investigation by the Competition Authority following a complaint by Prisons Commissioner Kobi Yaacobi, who alleged Abudraham had a personal relationship with an investigator from the Police Internal Investigations Department.

At the time of the complaint, Abudraham was reportedly absent from work for several days due to a "medical procedure on his leg." News reports indicate Abudraham was questioned under caution by the Competition Authority, not the Internal Investigations Department, regarding allegations of sexual harassment against Assistant Commissioner Alona Shoshan. Shoshan reportedly provided a recording as evidence of a relationship between Abudraham and an Internal Investigations Department investigator.

Abudraham denied the allegations. He was released under restrictive conditions after his questioning. Shoshan testified that the harassment occurred this year after an event attended by both and other police officers. She claimed Abudraham made explicit sexual remarks during a car ride. Abudraham is a key witness against Prisons Commissioner Yaacobi, who is suspected in a case involving associates of Minister Ben-Gvir. Yaacobi had claimed Abudraham was involved with an Internal Investigations Department investigator, but a polygraph test reportedly showed no such connection.