Former Police Commander Avishai Moalem Becomes Tiberias City Manager After 40 Years of Service
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Avishai Moalem, a retired Deputy Commissioner, has begun his new role as Director-General of the Tiberias Municipality after 40 years with the Israel Police. Moalem, who received a Medal of Courage in 2001, had been the subject of a high-profile investigation into allegations of bribery and obstruction of justice, which he denied. He stated his intention to continue serving the public in his new position.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Avishai Moalem retired from the Israel Police after 40 years to become Director-General of the Tiberias Municipality.
- Moalem received a Medal of Courage in 2001 for neutralizing a terrorist.
- He was investigated in recent years for alleged bribery and obstruction of justice.
- Moalem denied all allegations against him throughout the investigation.
- He stated his intention to continue serving the public in his new role.
After four decades of service in the Israel Police, Deputy Commissioner (retired) Avishai Moalem has begun a new chapter as the Director-General of the Tiberias Municipality. Moalem, who was appointed to the position this week after his candidacy was approved by the municipality's selection committee, officially announced his retirement from the police force on Thursday, concluding approximately 40 years of service.
Moalem, a native of Tiberias, described his transition as "closing a circle," having served in the local police station during his career. Throughout his time in the police, he held various operational and command roles, primarily in intelligence and detective work. In 2001, he received a Medal of Courage for neutralizing a terrorist in Afula and was later recognized by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
In a farewell statement, Moalem stated, "I am ending a very significant chapter in my life, but I am not ending my mission." He emphasized that the police were "never just a workplace, but a way of life" and expressed his intention to "continue to serve the public, contribute my experience and ability, and continue to act for the benefit of society and the state" in his new role.
Moalem's tenure in the police was marked by a high-profile investigation in recent years. He was investigated by the Police Internal Investigations Department on suspicion of bribery, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice. The investigation related to the police's handling of nationalist crime incidents in the West Bank and included leaked recordings of conversations between Moalem and senior officials in the Shin Bet's Jewish Division, which sparked public controversy regarding law enforcement conduct. Moalem consistently denied the allegations through his representative, asserting he acted lawfully. His wife also claimed the investigation stemmed from his refusal to make arrests without sufficient evidence.
With his departure from the police, Moalem is embarking on a new public service role in Tiberias, the city where he grew up and served during his years in uniform.
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