"I have no intention of giving up a single shekel": The police commissioner's sharp message to Ben Gvir
A senior police official criticizes the delay in transferring approximately 350 million shekels to the organization's budget and clarifies that Police Commissioner Chief Superintendent Danny Levi may petition the High Court of Justice to secure the funds. Meanwhile, the confrontation with Minister Itamar Ben Gvir over senior appointments continues, and the police are preparing for elections with about 22,000 officers.
The confrontation between the police and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is intensifying: a senior police official criticizes the delay in transferring approximately 350 million shekels to the organization's budget and clarifies that the fight over the funds may reach the High Court of Justice. "I have no intention of giving up a single shekel from this budget," was said in the conversation, and according to the official, even if this is not customary, the commissioner will petition the High Court to ensure all the money is received. According to the official, the budget delay harms the police's ability to equip itself with essential means and improve its operational capabilities. He explained that the organization needs to renew equipment, vehicles, and technological means, and noted that over 90% of the police budget is allocated to salaries and current expenses, while patrol vehicles reach 500,000 and 600,000 kilometers. The official referred to the discussion in the Knesset Finance Committee last week, where the police requested approval for the transfer of 71 million shekels. According to him, the request was not approved due to political disputes, even though it was clarified to the Knesset members that the funds were intended for the police and not for the minister. "I tried to convince those who needed convincing from all ends of the political spectrum," he said, adding that some Knesset members saw the funds as a budget identified with Ben Gvir. Meanwhile, the stagnation in senior appointments continues. The official clarified that although the minister's signature is required by law, there is no justification for a security organization to struggle to fill vital command positions over time. "Today there were supposed to be placements, I continue to make placements," he said, emphasizing that when a station commander is missing for several months, it affects the entire unit. The police are preparing for elections with about 22,000 officers, compared to about 17,000 in the previous elections. The official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was given a security briefing with Ben Gvir's participation, and noted the importance of police independence during this period. The main concern focuses on the hours after the publication of the exit polls, and the police are also preparing for rocket fire, according to Home Front Command instructions, and for the possibility of extending voting hours. According to him, there are intentions for attacks, but no concrete information about an attempt to harm the elections.