Top Police Commander Linked to Ben-Gvir Associates Resigns Amid Probe

Superintendent Avishai Moalem, former commander of the Judea and Samaria District Special Investigations Unit, is leaving the police force. Moalem was under investigation by the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) as part of a case involving associates of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. He is expected to be appointed Director-General of the Tiberias Municipality immediately after his resignation, according to reports.

The Mahash investigation focused on suspicions of bribery and breach of trust. Investigators alleged that Moalem took unusual actions in his role and refrained from acting against suspects involved in Jewish nationalist crime, aiming to influence his own advancement within the police. The probe also examined suspicions that Moalem leaked classified intelligence information to Ben-Gvir's circle in exchange for promotion.

At the time the affair surfaced, Moalem was a candidate for promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner. Moalem has denied all allegations, calling them a "false fabrication" and denying any leaks to Ben-Gvir. He claimed the investigation stemmed from a professional dispute with the Shin Bet's Jewish Department, stating he refused to become a "rubber stamp" for their arrest decisions.

Mahash clarified that the Shin Bet did not initiate or participate in the investigation, which began following intelligence received by a special unit. Further investigation, including analysis of Moalem's mobile phone, reportedly uncovered data supporting the suspicions, alongside deleted content that Mahash is attempting to recover.