Transport Ministry Security Unit Faces Staff Cuts and Budget Shortfalls

The security department within Israel's Ministry of Transport is reportedly facing a significant decline in staffing and budget approvals, according to data released by the Movement for Freedom of Information. In 2022, the department had 21 authorized positions, but this number is projected to shrink to just 19 by 2025. Alarmingly, six of these positions are part-time roles designated for students and senior citizens.

A former ministry official told i24NEWS that the head of the security department had repeatedly requested increased budgets over the years, including for upgrading the Mamlat system, but was consistently denied, particularly by the current Director General, Moshe Ben Zaken. The official added that in multiple meetings, the department head warned that the scope of their responsibilities exceeded the unit's capacity.

The Ministry of Transport has refuted these claims, labeling them as "fake news." The ministry stated that the assertion of staff cuts is false and that the claim regarding Director General Ben Zaken's refusal to approve budgets for the Mamlat system is also untrue. The ministry further explained that during budget discussions for 2026, they requested 10 million shekels and 10 positions. However, despite a written commitment from the Ministry of Finance, the budget and positions were not allocated.