Police Commissioner Seeks to Bypass National Security Minister on Senior Appointments
Translated & summarized from Panet by baba
Police Commissioner Dany Levy has asked the government's Legal Advisor to allow senior police appointments without Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's approval, escalating a conflict over authority. The dispute involves disagreements on appointments, protest handling, and budget freezes, with Ben-Gvir accusing the Legal Advisor of pressuring Levy. The situation reflects a significant crisis in the relationship between political and professional leadership within the Israeli police.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Police Commissioner Dany Levy asked the Legal Advisor to bypass Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on senior police appointments.
- The request follows a severe deterioration in relations between Levy and Ben-Gvir over appointments and policy.
- Ben-Gvir had previously frozen around 140 police appointments and promotions.
- Levy warned that freezing 333 million shekels for the police would harm its capabilities.
- Ben-Gvir accused the Legal Advisor of pressuring Levy and criticized a senior police official.
Police Commissioner Dany Levy has approached the government's Legal Advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, requesting approval to appoint senior police officers without the need for the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir's endorsement. This move aims to circumvent Ben-Gvir's authority over appointments, according to the website Walla!. The request stems from a severe deterioration in relations between Ben-Gvir and Levy, marked by ongoing disputes over police leadership appointments and promotions, protest management policies, and the overall administration of the police force.
Tensions escalated in recent months after Ben-Gvir froze approximately 140 police appointments and promotions pending elections. Levy, however, continued to push forward with some appointment procedures, leading to mutual accusations and sharp exchanges. The conflict also extended to budgetary matters, with Levy warning that the freezing of 333 million shekels allocated to the police would impair its operational capabilities.
In response, Ben-Gvir accused the Legal Advisor of pressuring and blackmailing the Police Commissioner, claiming this altered Levy's behavior. He also sharply criticized Boaz Balt, head of the Police Investigations and Intelligence Division, calling him a "liar and a deceiver." This development highlights the deep crisis between the political leadership and the professional command of the police, characterized by persistent disagreements over authority and decision-making autonomy within the force.
