Ben Gvir Delays Police Promotions, Legal Advisers Say He Is Misusing His Authority

Deputy Attorneys General Gil Limon and Sharon Afek contacted National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir on Wednesday and asked him to respond to his conduct regarding two additional police officers whose promotions have been delayed by the minister, as reported by Kan News.

One case involves Chief Supt. Reut Rosenberg from the police legal division, who petitioned the court after Ben Gvir refused for nine months to sign off on her promotion. He did so without explanation, despite approval from Police Commissioner Danny Levi and the senior command staff. The second case concerns Supt. Itzik Elfasi, who was appointed by the commissioner and the senior command to serve as spokesman for the Investigations and Intelligence Division. After Ben Gvir refused to sign the promotion, it was agreed that he would move to another position.

According to several sources in the police, the purpose of the delayed promotions is to create a chilling effect both in the Investigations and Intelligence Division and in the police legal division. "The two cases join previous cases of appointments in the Investigations and Intelligence Division that were improperly delayed by you and were signed only following judicial intervention," Limon and Afek wrote. "The cases raise serious concern that these are not isolated or exceptional events, but rather a systematic pattern in which improper use is made of appointment authority with respect to sensitive police units involved in law enforcement."

They concluded that "the very fact that police officers in sensitive positions are required to take legal action against the National Security Minister, because of an action he is taking unlawfully, creates a chilling effect that can negatively affect the independence of the police."

It should be noted that Ben Gvir has previously delayed police promotions. In the case of Supt. Rinat Saban, Ben Gvir did not honor the court ruling that accepted Saban's petition, and she received the ranks anyway. In the case of Chief Supt. Ruti Hauslich, who also petitioned, the minister backed down and approved her promotion.

Ben Gvir's office responded: "We are sorry to disappoint the people of the Attorney General's legal advisory team, but Minister Ben Gvir is not a rubber stamp. Before every rank and appointment, the minister examines the data and makes a decision only on a professional basis. That was the case, and it will continue to be the case, despite the mafia-like threats of Gali Baharav-Miara and her people."

Further on this topic, a third female officer whose promotion is being delayed: another petition against Ben Gvir. Ben Gvir announced officially: I will approve Ruti Hauslich's promotion.