Ex-Police Commander Under Investigation Resigns, May Lead Tiberias Municipality

Senior Superintendent Avishai Moalem, former commander of the Judea and Samaria (Shai) District's Special Operations Unit (YAMAS), has resigned from the Israel Police. Moalem was under investigation for serious allegations including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. He is reportedly being considered for the position of Director-General of the Tiberias Municipality.

A Tiberias Municipality spokesperson confirmed that Moalem is among the candidates for the Director-General role, with the selection committee set to convene after the upcoming holiday. Moalem was considered a central suspect in a case examining alleged improper ties and information transfer between him and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his associates.

In a May interview, Moalem vehemently denied all accusations, claiming he was "framed" due to ongoing professional disputes with the Shin Bet's Jewish division concerning the handling of "nationalist crime" in Judea and Samaria. He recounted his arrest, initially mistaking the investigators for security forces due to their early morning arrival. Moalem stated that wiretaps and vehicle intrusions were used against him, and the severe charge of "harming state security" was artificially applied to justify invasive investigative measures.

Moalem denied acting on behalf of Minister Ben-Gvir or his associates, asserting that no evidence linking him to information transfer or misconduct was presented during hundreds of hours of questioning by the Police Investigations Department. He claimed his offer to take a polygraph test was rejected.

Moalem attributed the investigation's origins to a strained relationship with the Shin Bet from his time leading the "nationalist crime" unit. He alleged Shin Bet officials pressured him to make arrests without sufficient admissible evidence, which he repeatedly refused. He also accused the Shin Bet of withholding crucial intelligence during investigations into violence in Judea and Samaria, despite his direct oversight, leading to severe confrontations with senior security and law enforcement officials.