Ex-Police Commander Linked to Ben-Gvir Under Investigation Eyed for City Manager Role

Superintendent Avi Shai Moalem, formerly a commander in the Israel Police's Judea and Samaria district, has resigned from the force and is reportedly a leading candidate for the position of Tiberias Municipality Director-General. The potential appointment comes as Moalem faces serious criminal suspicions, including allegations of improper ties and the transfer of sensitive information to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and his associates. According to the suspicions, Moalem allegedly acted to prevent the arrest of far-right activists suspected of nationalistic terrorism in Judea and Samaria, in exchange for career advancement within the police.

Further complicating the matter, Israel Prison Service Commissioner Katy Yaakov was questioned under caution by the Police Investigations Department regarding his alleged connections with Moalem. Yaakov is suspected of transferring classified and sensitive information concerning a covert investigation into Moalem. In July, a decision was made to indict Yaakov, pending a hearing, on charges including moral turpitude, fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice, in a case referred to as "associates of Ben-Gvir."

Moalem has vehemently denied all accusations, claiming he was framed as revenge for professional disputes with the Jewish division of the Shin Bet regarding the handling of nationalistic crime in Judea and Samaria. He asserted that he was subjected to surveillance, wiretapping, and break-ins to his vehicle, with severe security clauses used to justify invasive investigative actions. He also alleged that improper pressure was exerted on him by the Shin Bet to make baseless arrests and that critical intelligence was deliberately withheld from him.

Past reports revealed that on the night far-right activists rioted in the Palestinian village of Jith, Moalem allegedly ignored urgent calls for assistance from the Shin Bet. A subordinate officer warned of violent activist gatherings and a "red alert" convoy of masked individuals leaving Yitzhar. A Shin Bet source stated at the time that Moalem "simply didn't want" to apprehend them despite ample opportunity.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called the investigation into Yaakov a "persecution," praising him as a brave fighter and the best Prison Service commissioner in Israel's history, and denouncing what he termed "legal tailor"-led "deep state persecution."