Senior police officers oppose Ben Gvir: "Promoting an expensive purchase of a helicopter that is simply not needed"

Senior police officers are speaking out against National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir over his promotion of the purchase of a Black Hawk helicopter at a cost of about 200 million shekels, amid a shortage of patrol cars, fuel, and weapons. A police source said the purchase contradicts the professional position and that the aviation unit is not prepared to receive the helicopter.

Senior police officers spoke out today (Thursday) against the helicopter purchase promoted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. The expenditure amounts to about 200 million shekels, at a time when patrol cars are lacking, and there is insufficient fuel and ammunition. A police source stated that the minister is promoting the purchase of a Black Hawk helicopter against the professional position, which holds that it is unnecessary. According to the source, the move is being advanced while the minister is drying up the organization's budget: patrol cars are accumulating high mileage, there is a shortage of fuel and ammunition, and the police are forced to consider every expense. The source added that the aviation unit is not prepared to receive the helicopter: there are no pilots who can fly it and no suitable place to store it. The source expects the Ministry of Finance not to approve the budget for the purchase.

Senior police officers oppose Ben Gvir: "Promoting an expensive purchase of a helicopter that is simply not needed"