Ex-Elections Chief Questions PM's Meeting With Police Commissioner Before Vote
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Former Central Elections Committee Director-General Orly Edas criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with Police Commissioner Danny Levi days before the election, calling it unprecedented and inappropriate. Edas expressed significant fears of violence and disruptions on election day, comparing the potential atmosphere to the 1990s. She highlighted the importance of police independence from political influence during election preparations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Elections Committee head Orly Edas criticized PM Netanyahu's meeting with Police Commissioner before elections.
- Edas stated such a meeting between a Prime Minister and Police Commissioner had never occurred before.
- She argued the meeting was inappropriate due to Netanyahu being a candidate.
- Edas expressed significant fears of election day violence and disruptions.
- She anticipates a volatile atmosphere similar to the 1990s elections.
Orly Edas, the former Director-General of the Central Elections Committee, expressed concern over a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Police Commissioner Danny Levi held shortly before the elections. Edas stated that in her 38 years with the committee, and to her knowledge before that, such a meeting where the Prime Minister was briefed on election preparations had never occurred.
She emphasized that the Police Commissioner's briefing on election readiness is based on intelligence, which translates into operational plans for handling election day incidents, public disturbances, and other issues. Edas argued that given Netanyahu was a candidate, it was inappropriate for such a sensitive meeting to take place so close to the election, stressing the importance of keeping the Israel Police independent and operating in conjunction with the Elections Committee.
Edas, who served for 16 years as Director-General and 38 years in total, reflected on her departure from the role, noting that while initially strange to observe the election process from the outside, the feeling passed. She expressed gratitude for her years of service to democracy.
Regarding the upcoming election day, Edas voiced significant apprehension, anticipating a highly charged and volatile atmosphere reminiscent of the 1990s. She fears potential violence outside polling stations aimed at deterring voters, blocking access, disturbances within polling stations, provocations, the use of prohibited apps to incite voters, and even the theft of ballot boxes.
Mentioned
