Ben Gvir Slams Police Chief Over Route 4 Ultra-Orthodox Protest Dispersal
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir harshly criticized Police Commissioner Danny Levi following the dispersal of ultra-Orthodox protests on Route 4. Police officials rejected the accusations, stating officers acted solely to maintain public order.
A direct political confrontation erupted on Thursday evening between National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Police Commissioner Danny Levi following the dispersal of ultra-Orthodox protests on Route 4 near the Geha Interchange. Minister Ben Gvir strongly criticized the police chief, accusing him of politically motivated enforcement aimed at pleasing incoming government officials.
"The Police Commissioner has been acting for several days as someone trying to appease the upcoming administration while thinking he will win favor with Yair Golan," the National Security Minister stated. According to Ben Gvir, the police tactics documented during the demonstrations are part of a new agenda by Commissioner Levi to curry favor with the political left.
Ben Gvir further escalated his rhetoric, referencing the commissioner's previous cooperation with the political echelon. "It is regrettable that Levi, who for a year and a half carried out all of my requests, is acting illegally the day after the elections against the ultra-Orthodox and turning them into his punching bag," the minister added.
In response, high-ranking police officials forcefully rejected the minister's accusations of politicization, insisting that officers acted strictly against public order violators. "These are rioters who broke the law and public order," a senior police official stated.
"Our role is to uphold the law, and that is how we acted toward the lawbreakers," the police source explained, firing back at the minister. "We will not allow them to harm public order, even if the minister wishes to be pleasant to one public sector or another."
