National Security Minister Ben-Gvir's Tenure Marked by Deep Failure in Crime Fighting
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's tenure has been characterized by a significant failure to combat crime, with murder rates nearly doubling and a severe escalation of violence in the Arab community. His attempts to politicize the police force have been challenged by the Supreme Court and the Attorney General. Ben-Gvir also faced criticism for his response to the October 7th attacks and has incurred personal sanctions from several Western nations due to his rhetoric and past actions.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Murder victims in Israel more than doubled during National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's term.
- Crime and violence in the Arab community saw a significant surge under Ben-Gvir's leadership.
- Ben-Gvir's attempts to politicize the police have been met with legal challenges and Supreme Court rulings.
- The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that Ben-Gvir continues to interfere with police operations.
- Western nations have imposed personal sanctions on Ben-Gvir due to his incitement to violence.
- The Border Police's insufficient presence in the Gaza envelope on October 7th has been highlighted.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, who promised "governance, law, and order" upon entering office, has overseen a significant increase in crime during his tenure, particularly in the Arab community. He neglected a five-year plan initiated by the previous government to combat crime in the Arab sector, instead politicizing the police force and prioritizing political loyalty over professionalism in officer promotions. This approach has resulted in an unprecedented crime and governance crisis, evidenced by a more than doubling of murder victims during his term.
Ben-Gvir's tenure has been marked by legal challenges regarding his influence over the police. He pushed for legislation that expanded his authority, but the Supreme Court has since struck down key provisions, ruling that the police must operate independently of the government. Despite these rulings and agreements with the Attorney General, Ben-Gvir has continued to interfere in police operations and appointments, leading the Attorney General to inform the Supreme Court of his non-compliance. Even the former Police Commissioner, Yakov Shabtai, described Ben-Gvir's actions as an attempt to control the police as a "militia for a minister."
The article highlights that the number of murder victims in Israel has nearly doubled since Ben-Gvir took office, with a particularly severe crisis in the Arab community where the number of fatalities related to crime and violence more than doubled in his first year and has continued to rise. The police's low clearance rate for murders in the Arab sector further exacerbates the problem. Additionally, extortion and protection racket cases have increased significantly.
Furthermore, Ben-Gvir's response to the October 7th Hamas attacks has been criticized. The Border Police, under his purview, were not adequately present in the Gaza envelope. During the attack, Ben-Gvir reportedly focused on managing his public image and drafting press releases rather than actively engaging in the security situation. His policy of distributing firearms to civilians, while increasing significantly after October 7th, has also been questioned, with the Ministry admitting to legal deficiencies in a sample of issued licenses.
Internationally, Ben-Gvir's rhetoric and past associations have led to personal sanctions from several Western countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, citing his incitement to violence and human rights violations. The Netherlands declared him an undesirable person. His actions regarding the Temple Mount have also drawn condemnation from Jordan and Saudi Arabia, complicating Israel's diplomatic relations.
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