Ben-Gvir Blocks Police Commissioner's Promotion of Spokesperson

A dispute between National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Danny Levi has extended to the police's spokesperson unit. Levi wishes to promote the current police spokesperson, Superintendent Aryeh Doron, to the rank of Assistant Commissioner and appoint him as head of the spokesperson division. However, the appointment is currently stalled as Ben-Gvir refuses to approve the series of promotions requested by the commissioner.

Without the minister's approval, the promotion and appointment cannot be finalized. Despite this, Levi is proceeding with police personnel assignments, including discussions for station and district commanders. This move is largely declarative, as some appointments require Ben-Gvir's sign-off, but it signals the commissioner's preferred candidates and his assessment of them.

The disagreement over appointments is another layer in the ongoing tension between Ben-Gvir and Levi. While Levi aims to continue with assignments and promotions based on police needs, the minister holds the required approval authority for certain positions and is withholding it.

In Doron's specific case, an additional obstacle exists: a disciplinary process is underway against him following remarks he made about Democratic Party chairman Yair Golan. The police have informed the High Court of Justice about this process, which must conclude before his promotion can be approved. If approved, Doron would replace Assistant Commissioner Lior Abudraham, who recently resigned amid the Yaacobi-Shoshan-Abudraham affair, in which the three were investigated.