Netanyahu Summons Police Chief Over Election Integrity Amid Ben-Gvir Dispute
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with Police Commissioner Dany Levy on Sunday to discuss election integrity and security preparations ahead of the October 27 Knesset elections. The meeting follows Police Commissioner Levy's refusal to attend a session called by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, highlighting ongoing disputes between the two over police management and appointments. The Prime Minister's office described the meeting as routine, part of standard pre-election procedures to ensure the electoral process remains secure and impartial.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned Police Commissioner Dany Levy to discuss election integrity.
- The meeting is scheduled for Sunday, two days before the October 27 Knesset elections.
- The summons follows Police Commissioner Levy's refusal to attend a session called by Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
- Disagreements between Ben-Gvir and Levy concern police management and leadership appointments.
- Sources describe Netanyahu's meeting as a routine pre-election procedure.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has summoned Police Commissioner Dany Levy for a meeting scheduled for Sunday to discuss election integrity and related security preparations, two days before the Knesset elections on October 27. The meeting follows Levy's refusal to attend a session called by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to discuss police election readiness, a move that raised questions about the relationship between police leadership and the minister responsible for it. Sources in the Prime Minister's office stated that the meeting with Netanyahu is routine, part of standard pre-election discussions on preparations and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
Ben-Gvir had invited senior police officials to present election preparation plans, though the Police Commissioner was not expected to attend. Instead, the head of operations and other officials were scheduled to brief the minister on field preparations. The Ministry of National Security justified the meeting as a standard procedure to inform the minister of police plans, as he is responsible for the force. However, its timing drew criticism from security and legal circles, amid concerns about the potential politicization of the police institution before the elections. The police had previously held a broad meeting on election preparations, including representatives from the Central Elections Committee, the IDF, and the Shin Bet, to coordinate efforts among relevant bodies securing the vote.
The latest development occurs amidst escalating disagreements between Ben-Gvir and Levy concerning police management, including disputes over leadership appointments. The minister had expressed opposition to extensive appointments in the period leading up to the elections, citing the need to avoid actions that could raise doubts about the institution's political neutrality. Tensions between the two also rose in September over police appointments and delays in financial allocations to the police. Levy accused the delays of harming the force's operational capabilities, while Ben-Gvir linked the dispute to appointments and his ministerial authority. These disagreements come as the Israeli police prepare to secure the elections and follow up on reports of potential violations, with official assurances of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the vote.
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