Gal Hirsch Extends Role as Israeli Prisoners Coordinator Until 2027 with 25% Salary Increase

Gal Hirsch, retired Brigadier General and Israel's coordinator for prisoners and missing persons, will continue in his role until the end of 2026 with a significant salary increase. His monthly compensation, paid through his company DJ Agility Concept, will rise from 41,500 shekels to 52,000 shekels. This extension follows the return of hostages, despite which the Prime Minister's Office sought to prolong Hirsch's contract beyond its June 7 expiration, initially by two months and later for a longer term.

The Prime Minister's Office procurement committee approved a contract extension totaling 422,000 shekels, which includes life insurance payments of 1,179 shekels per month, reimbursement for official hospitality, international flights related to his duties, and VAT. Hirsch’s role will shift from advising the Hostages Directorate and the Prime Minister’s Office to directly advising the Prime Minister on prisoner and missing persons issues. This new external advisory position required special approval from the acting Civil Service Commissioner.

The Prime Minister's Office justified the salary increase by citing a "significant expansion of tasks" assigned to Hirsch. However, the job description remains largely consistent with his previous responsibilities, including maintaining contact with families of hostages and prisoners, developing strategy, and reviewing government policy in this area.

Hirsch cannot be employed as a government employee due to an ongoing criminal indictment filed in October 2021 for alleged failure to report 6.1 million shekels in income. His trial is ongoing with no plea deal expected. The Prime Minister's Office stated that Hirsch’s continued leadership is necessary to complete national efforts related to prisoners and missing persons, including preparations based on lessons from the October 7 events and other incidents.