Ben-Gvir Accuses Police Chief of Bias Against Haredim

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has sharply criticized Police Commissioner Dany Levy, accusing him of unfair treatment towards the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) public and attempting to appease the "leftists" and the "next government." The minister's remarks followed the police's handling of a protest on Highway 4 near the Geha Interchange.

Ben-Gvir alleged that Levy is acting to curry favor with the incoming government, specifically mentioning Yair Golan. "The police commissioner has been behaving for several days as someone who wants to please the next government when he thinks he will find favor with Yair Golan," Ben-Gvir stated. He further claimed, "The absurd images from the Geha Interchange are part of Levy's new agenda to ingratiate himself with the leftists."

The minister contended that Levy changed his approach after the recent elections, despite having followed Ben-Gvir's directives for the previous year and a half. "It is regrettable that Levy, who did everything I asked for a year and a half, is acting the day after the elections illegally against the Haredim and making them his punching bag," he said.

The confrontation stems from a protest by the Jerusalem Faction, a Haredi group, against the arrest of a Haredi draft dodger sentenced to two weeks in military prison. The protest led to the closure of Highway 4 in both directions, causing significant traffic jams in the central region. During the dispersal of the demonstrators, police used stun grenades. Reports indicate one protester was hospitalized and several officers were injured.