Two Senior Police Commanders Refuse to Sign Letter of Support for Commissioner

Two high-ranking police commanders, Jerusalem District Commander Major General Avshalom Peled and Judea and Samaria District Commander Major General Moshe Finchi, have refrained from signing an unusual letter of support for Police Commissioner Dany Levy. The letter was drafted by senior officers following severe accusations leveled against Levy by the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir. Peled is reportedly on vacation, while Finchi explained his abstention, stating that the letter's original wording, presented as support for the commissioner amid a dispute with the minister, would harm the commissioner and the organization. Finchi argued that a senior commander's signature would signify taking a side in the conflict and potentially draw the senior command into the dispute, damaging the police force.

Ben-Gvir had accused Levy of seeking to "see blood" during the dispersal of recent Haredi protests, a claim Levy vehemently denied as "baseless and outrageous." Tensions between the minister and the commissioner have escalated, with Ben-Gvir alleging Levy has disregarded his policies since the elections. Ben-Gvir made these claims in a petition to the High Court of Justice (בג״ץ) seeking to overturn a temporary order preventing him from interfering with police handling of protests. He stated he would present evidence to the court, including allegations that Levy directly ordered officers to use batons and stun grenades, engaged in discriminatory conduct, moved regional commanders illegally, missed situation assessments, and traveled abroad without approval.

Ben-Gvir, who has previously supported police actions during protests against judicial reform, requested the order's cancellation to allow him to "rein in police violence." He accused Levy of implementing policy before the elections but now preparing for a different agenda. In response to Ben-Gvir's accusations, senior command members of the Israel Police issued a letter of support for Levy, rejecting the minister's claims. The signatories, including district and division commanders, affirmed their full and unconditional support for Levy, stating they had never heard him instruct unlawful violence against any civilian or protester.