Senior Police Officer Linked to Ben Gvir Affair Resigns to Head Tiberias Municipality
Commander Avishay Mualem, a central suspect in the Ben Gvir associates affair and former YAMAR SHAI commander, is retiring from the Israel Police to become CEO of the Tiberias Municipality.
Commander Avishay Mualem, former commander of the Judea and Samaria District Serious Crimes Unit (YAMAR SHAI) and a central suspect in the associates of Itamar Ben Gvir affair, is retiring from the Israel Police. He is expected to be appointed CEO of the Tiberias Municipality, where he resides.
Mualem was suspected, among other things, of refraining from arresting extreme right-wing activists in the West Bank, allegedly to win the favor of Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir and secure a promotion to the rank of Deputy Commissioner. He was arrested in 2024 and investigated by the Department of Police Investigations (Mahash), placed on mandatory leave, and later investigated on suspicion of attempting to ask a subordinate for police materials in violation of his restraining orders. Mualem claimed the investigation was politically motivated and a systematic persecution against him.
In June 2025, Police Commissioner Daniel Levy decided to reinstate Mualem, and he was given a role in the Logistics Support Department. Following the announcement of his return, Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated: "I welcome the decision. This is an esteemed, experienced officer who worked for many years for the security of Israeli citizens. Commander Mualem suffered persecution by the Shin Bet. I believe in his innocence and am certain he will be promoted in rank." Police sources noted prior to his return that he would not command YAMAR SHAI again, and he is now leaving the police entirely for the municipal role in Tiberias.
