Minister Ben-Gvir Accuses Police Official of Leaking Against Attorney General
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has accused Police Superintendent Boaz Balt of boasting about leaking information critical of the Attorney General. Ben-Gvir made the claims in a court filing related to a delayed appointment. The allegations follow the recent release of recordings where Balt made critical statements about law enforcement and the Police Internal Affairs Department. Balt confirmed the recordings were from 2024, before he took his current position, and stated he is "loyal only to the law."
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Ben-Gvir alleges Police Superintendent Boaz Balt boasted about leaking information against the Attorney General.
- The claims were made in a court response regarding a delayed appointment of another police official.
- The accusations follow the recent release of recordings where Balt criticized law enforcement practices.
- Balt confirmed the recordings were made in 2024, before he assumed his current role.
- Balt stated he is loyal only to the law and emphasized cooperation with the prosecution.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir claims that Police Superintendent Boaz Balt, head of the Investigations and Intelligence Department, boasted to him about leaking information to the media critical of the Attorney General and other figures. These allegations appear in a response Ben-Gvir filed with the court concerning a petition by Superintendent Itzik Alfasi, whose appointment as spokesperson for the Investigations and Intelligence Department is being delayed by Ben-Gvir. According to the response, Balt made these statements during an interview with Ben-Gvir before Balt's appointment as head of the department.
Ben-Gvir alleges that Balt not only spoke generally about his media contacts but also showed him articles criticizing judges, from the Supreme Court down to Magistrate's Courts, attributed to police sources. Ben-Gvir claims Balt admitted to being behind these articles and boasted about criticizing the judiciary under the guise of "senior police sources."
The accusations surfaced amid a dispute over Alfasi's appointment. Ben-Gvir argued in his court response that given the alleged leaks by Balt, a spokesperson for the department is unnecessary. These claims follow recent controversy sparked by recordings of Balt, revealed by journalist Amit Segal earlier this week. Sources close to Balt believe the recordings originated from the same 2024 interview with Ben-Gvir, prior to Balt assuming his current role.
In the recordings, Balt is heard making serious accusations about the conduct of law enforcement officials, including allegations of investigations being deliberately held back to be used later. He also criticized the Police Internal Affairs Department (Mahash) for its handling of cases against officers.
Balt addressed the leaked recordings on Thursday during a discussion with the State Prosecutor's Office, confirming they were made in 2024 when he was a Deputy Commissioner, not yet head of the department. He stated that his understanding of the issues was less clear then than it is now. Balt described disagreements between the police and prosecution as part of their work, aimed at uncovering truth and serving the public. He emphasized his cooperation with the prosecution since taking office, calling them a "loyal partner" with whom there is "great trust, great respect, and a shared professional path."
Balt also commented on the timing of the leaks, suggesting an attempt to derail him, and declared, "I am not deterred and will not be deterred, I am loyal only to the law."
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