Police Spokespersons Remain Blocked From Investigation Files a Month After Order

A month after Boaz Balat, head of the Israeli Police's Investigations Division, ordered police spokespersons to be blocked from accessing investigation files, the restriction remains in place despite promises it would be lifted within days. Police spokespersons expressed frustration, calling the move collective punishment that hinders their work and forces them into a difficult position with the media. They argue that access to investigation files significantly streamlines their work, reduces unnecessary questioning of investigators, and enables timely communication with the press, especially during serious incidents.

The spokespersons emphasized that most of them come from investigative or legal advisory roles and are capable of maintaining the necessary separation to prevent leaks. They criticized the decision as a sign of complete distrust and called on the police commissioner to intervene and restore their access. They also suggested that if there is suspicion of leaks, individual offenders should be dealt with personally rather than punishing the entire spokesperson unit.

This controversy began after a "Maariv" report on July 21 revealed the directive, sparking widespread criticism within the police. Senior officials noted that the move complicates communication with the media and damages the spokespersons' ability to perform their duties. They proposed technical solutions to identify leaks, such as tracking file access through digital systems, and argued that blocking all spokespersons is an extreme and disrespectful measure that undermines both the individuals and the organization.