Police Chief Announces Senior Appointments Amid Standoff with Ben Gvir
Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy announced a new round of senior appointments awaiting approval from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who previously froze promotions ahead of elections.
The standoff between Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has deepened as the police chief announced a new round of senior officer appointments, which currently await the minister's signature. This development comes despite a sweeping freeze imposed by Ben Gvir earlier this month, halting all high-ranking promotions until after the upcoming Knesset elections.
New Appointments Await Approval
According to the announcement released by the police, the latest round includes several key designations across various districts and directorates. Among them, Senior Superintendent Kfir Solomon is slated to head officer training, Senior Superintendent Meir Hachmon has been designated to command the Ben Gurion Airport precinct in the Central District, and Senior Superintendent Rotem Vosker is set to lead the Dan precinct in the Tel Aviv District.
Additional appointments include Senior Superintendent Kobi Abutbul as commander of the Ayalon precinct, Senior Superintendent Eliad Ankri as head of the safety department in the Operations Directorate, and Senior Superintendent Kobi Mograbi as commander of the Tel Aviv Border Police precinct. Other designated roles encompass regional command positions in the North, Jerusalem, and Central districts.
Background of the Police Freeze
Minister Itamar Ben Gvir previously ordered a halt to all senior appointments, arguing that promotions made shortly before an election could be perceived by the public as politically motivated. However, reports indicate that the freeze was primarily triggered by a dispute over the intended appointment of Senior Superintendent Tamar Liberty as deputy legal advisor to the police, which the minister's office attributed to the Attorney General's influence.
"It is inappropriate to carry out senior appointments shortly before elections, as this may be perceived by parts of the public as a hasty maneuver," stated the National Security Minister's office, adding that all promotions remain frozen unless deemed urgently necessary upon individual review.
Numerous critical positions remain vacant or stalled due to the ongoing dispute, including the economic advisor to the police commissioner, several regional command posts in the Galilee, Sharon, and Asher areas, as well as the head of the anti-bribery and illegal sports gambling investigative unit.
