Police WhatsApp Dispute Erupts Over Commissioner's Support
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
A dispute erupted in the Israel Police senior command WhatsApp group after Northern District Commander Meir Eliyahu circulated a letter supporting Police Commissioner Dani Levy amid criticism from Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Judea and Samaria District Commander Moshe Finchi argued the letter would be detrimental. Commissioner Levy then halted the discussion. The incident follows Ben-Gvir's accusations against Levy regarding protest management.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Police Commissioner Dani Levy halted a WhatsApp discussion among senior officers regarding a letter of support.
- Northern District Commander Meir Eliyahu initiated the letter supporting Levy against criticism from Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
- Judea and Samaria District Commander Moshe Finchi argued the letter would harm the Commissioner and the police.
- Minister Ben-Gvir had accused Commissioner Levy of ordering violence against protesters.
- The Commissioner's office called Ben-Gvir's accusations baseless and outrageous.
A rare exchange occurred within the WhatsApp group of the Israel Police's senior command after Northern District Commander Maj. Gen. Meir Eliyahu circulated a letter of support for Police Commissioner Dani Levy. This followed sharp criticism of Levy by Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Eliyahu sought to gather signatures from other senior officers on the letter.
Judea and Samaria District Commander Maj. Gen. Moshe Finchi responded in the group, stating that a letter of support for the Commissioner from his subordinates, as presented, would harm both Levy and the entire organization. He argued that the Commissioner, as the head of the organization, does not need public support from those subordinate to him. Finchi suggested that the letter should have emphasized national responsibility and professional independence, rather than engaging in a media battle through the senior command group. He also warned that a senior commander's signature would signify taking sides in a dispute.
Commissioner Dani Levy, currently in Morocco, intervened, stating, "In this space, dialogue will not be conducted. I ask not to respond, and whoever has something to say will hold back until the next senior command discussion."
This incident follows Ben-Gvir's appeal to the High Court of Justice (Bagatz) yesterday, demanding intervention in protest management. Ben-Gvir accused the Commissioner of ordering the shedding of protesters' blood discriminatorily, illegally moving regional commanders, and directly interfering with field officers' decisions.
The Commissioner's office issued a statement calling the accusation that Levy ordered violence against Haredi protesters for improper reasons or contrary to law and procedure "baseless, outrageous, and preposterous." The statement characterized the allegations as "serious, absurd, and shameful," asserting that they cross all boundaries, especially coming from the minister responsible for the police, who instead of supporting his officers and commanders, chooses to defame them, question their professionalism, and damage public trust in those responsible for security.
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