The politicization came out of the shadow

In an opinion column, Merav Batito criticizes the appointment of Yoav Eliasi ("Hatzel") as a police officer by Minister Ben Gvir, claiming it is politicization of the police. She quotes MK Naor Shiri who said the appointment violates procedures, and notes that Eliasi continued his extreme behavior. The author asserts that the police has become an organization serving the minister rather than the citizens.

In an opinion column published on ynet, Merav Batito attacks the appointment of Yoav Eliasi ("Hatzel"), a far-right activist, as an officer in the Israel Police by the Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir. Batito describes how two years ago, against the backdrop of the Gaza war, Eliasi received officer ranks in a festive ceremony, presenting it as proof of his desire to change. However, she claims that Eliasi did not change his ways, continued to spread hate speech on social media, and used his connections to advance personal interests, including preventing the closure of a club. Batito quotes MK Naor Shiri (Yesh Atid), who said that granting the ranks violates police procedures, and that Section 9 prohibits volunteers from expressing political opinions. The author asserts that this is a "corruption" rather than a correction, and that the police has become an organization that works for the minister rather than for the citizens. She criticizes Ben Gvir for promoting cronies, and notes that Eliasi called Channel 12 "a damage factor to Israel" and Bogi Ya'alon "a Hamas spokesman." Batito concludes that Eliasi came to change the police, but the police did not change him.