In Israel, Ben-Gvir will not approve senior officer appointments before elections
Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir informed Police Commissioner Danny Levy that he would not approve appointments of senior officers until the elections scheduled for October 27. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post.
In a letter to the police chief, Ben-Gvir noted that the Knesset is already in recess and that restrictions on government activity apply during the election period, including to personnel appointments in the civil service. According to him, holding a new round of appointments at this time could undermine public trust.
Exceptional cases
Ben-Gvir said that about four months ago he had proposed that Levy begin the appointment procedure, but did not receive a list of candidates at that time. The minister stressed that his position is not an assessment of police officers’ work, but concerns the public and legal aspects of personnel decisions during the election period.
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The minister’s office later clarified that there would be no appointments before the elections, except in special cases. The minister will consider each such case separately after the police commissioner provides justification for the need for the appointment.
Possible court appeal
The decision was made amid a dispute between Ben-Gvir and Levy over personnel matters. Sources close to the minister claim that Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara raised the issue of appointing a deputy legal adviser to the police during a meeting with Levy and named a candidate for the position. According to these sources, Ben-Gvir blocked the move, citing his position on appointments during the election period.
Officials close to the police leadership said they may appeal to the High Court of Justice if the minister does not approve personnel decisions supported at a meeting in the commissioner’s office. They also claim that about 500 million shekels transferred in March to the Ministry of National Security for the police have still not been transferred to the police itself. According to the publication, Levy does not intend to abandon his position on the need for appointments.
