Police Commanders Accuse Chief Danny Levi of Delaying Officer Appointments Over Ego Clashes

Tensions between Israel Police Chief Commissioner Danny Levi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have escalated amid disputes over police officer appointments. During a recent general command staff meeting, Levi asserted that the authority to appoint police officers rests solely with the Chief Commissioner, despite the law clearly granting the National Security Minister the power to approve such appointments.

Senior police commanders have blamed Levi for delaying the appointment cycle, which was expected to be completed months ago. They accuse him of dragging his feet and making decisions based on non-professional and personal considerations. Levi reportedly sought to appoint close associates, including a candidate for deputy commissioner, but failed to reach consensus on these nominations.

Commanders expressed frustration that the ongoing delays harm police officers awaiting promotion and criticized Levi for shifting blame onto others. The police have yet to issue an official response to these allegations. The conflict highlights a power struggle within Israel's security establishment and raises concerns about the appointment process's transparency and professionalism.