Elite unit caught in battle between Ben Gvir and police commissioner: "They are using us for a political struggle"
The Gideonim unit, the police's elite counter-terrorism unit, has been caught in a public confrontation between National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Police Commissioner Chief Superintendent Danny Levy. A senior officer in the unit clarified in an internal group that the fighters are not involved in the political struggle and that things have been taken out of context. The background: ynet's exposure of harsh sleeping conditions in the unit, compared to a spa photo presented by the minister.
The Gideonim unit (33), the police's elite counter-terrorism unit under Lahav 433, has been caught in recent days in the publicized confrontation between National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Police Commissioner Chief Superintendent Danny Levy. A senior officer in the Gideonim unit sent a message today (Wednesday) in an internal group of the unit, clarifying that "all the media chaos and conflicts between the spokespersons and Minister Gvir do not interest us, and we certainly did not start any 'rebellion'." The background: earlier this week, ynet revealed from police sources that the budget freeze decided by the minister is also harming operational units, and that fighters in the Gideonim unit are forced to sleep in a tent and in the unit's clubhouse in conditions unfit for living. Minister Ben Gvir countered that a budget for renovation work was transferred months ago but was wasted by the police for other purposes, and published a photo of a spa that he claimed was set up for the fighters. The senior officer added that "things were taken out of context and the name of the Gideonim unit was used because of budget and political struggles that are not related to us."