Senior Police Official Warns of Supreme Court Action Over Frozen Budgets
A senior police official criticized the Ministry of National Security over delayed budgets, warning of potential Supreme Court action. Meanwhile, police are deploying 22,000 officers to secure upcoming elections.
A senior police official has leveled sharp criticism at the Ministry of National Security over frozen budgets and delayed senior appointments, warning that the dispute could reach the Supreme Court. Speaking to the press, the official emphasized that approximately 350 million shekels intended for the Israel Police have been withheld since April, crippling operational capabilities and delaying much-needed procurement of vehicles and advanced technology.
"I am telling you clearly, I have no intention of giving up a single shekel of this budget," the senior official stated. "Even if I have to petition the High Court of Justice—which is not standard practice—as the Police Commissioner I will do so. All of this money must enter the organization." The official added that over 90 percent of the police budget is earmarked for salaries and ongoing operational expenses, leaving little room for technological development, AI integration, or fleet renewal, especially given that patrol cars routinely log 500,000 to 600,000 kilometers.
Security Preparations and Election Challenges
Amid mounting budget disputes, the Israel Police is simultaneously preparing for upcoming national elections, deploying approximately 22,000 officers—an increase of 5,000 compared to previous election cycles. The comprehensive security blueprint was recently presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, covering intelligence assessments, potential threats from Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, and the risk of civil unrest following the publication of exit polls.
"The organization that matters most during elections is the Israel Police. It is entirely impossible to hold elections in the State of Israel without an apolitical police force," the official stressed. While day-to-day voting is expected to remain relatively calm, law enforcement is bracing for potential clashes, protests, and disturbances at around 22:00 when exit polls are released, alongside five major political rallies across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Combating Incitement and Maintaining Law and Order
Police investigations units, including Lahav 433, are currently handling roughly 18 active files concerning incitement and threats against public figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Authorities have also made preventative arrests, including detaining a local defense squad member who threatened the prime minister.
Despite heightened regional tensions and threats from multiple fronts, the senior official confirmed that there is currently no concrete intelligence indicating a deliberate attempt by hostile actors to disrupt election day itself. However, coordinated security measures remain in place across major traffic arteries, the West Bank, and polling stations, ensuring that criminal enforcement and public safety operations continue without interruption.
