Police Officers’ Lawyer Issues Rare Warning Over Ben Gvir’s Grip on Police Leadership

A senior Israeli police attorney has issued an unusual public warning about National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s influence over the police force, claiming he is attempting to position himself as a supreme commander over the organisation. Lawyer Offer Bartel made the comments whilst discussing an ongoing battle waged by police officers who were denied promotions allegedly because of their relationship with Ben Gvir.

Bartel, who represents officers involved in the dispute, used stark language to characterise the minister’s actions, suggesting that Ben Gvir seeks to function as an overarching authority figure within the police hierarchy. The warning comes as tensions between the government and law enforcement have remained elevated since Ben Gvir took office, with numerous complaints from officers about political interference in operational and personnel matters.

The dispute centres on several officers who claim they were overlooked for advancement specifically due to their handling of cases or positions that displeased the controversial minister. Bartel’s intervention suggests the legal community views the situation as serious enough to warrant public commentary, a relative rarity in Israeli police matters.

The attorney also addressed the potential Supreme Court petitions expected from Beki, indicating that legal challenges to Ben Gvir’s influence are likely to proceed through the courts. The case has broader implications for Israeli democratic institutions, particularly regarding the separation between government political authority and the independence of the police force.

Source: Maariv — Original article in Hebrew.