Contrary to orders: The political event attended by the officer at the center of the Ben Gvir associates affair

The former commander of the Judea and Samaria Central Unit, Colonel Avishai Mualem, the main suspect in the "Ben Gvir associates" affair, participated a few days ago in an event attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ministers, and Knesset members. This was an event where distinct political and diplomatic statements were heard, in the midst of an election campaign.

Colonel Mualem's participation in the event raises questions in light of the regulations requiring police officers to distance themselves from activities identified as political or that could harm public trust. The National Headquarters' orders seek to prevent, through procedures, the participation of police personnel in events with political ties, out of the need to maintain their independence and public trust in the police.

Mualem is suspected of refraining from arresting extreme right-wing activists, allegedly with the goal of gaining a promotion to the rank of Brigadier General. He was arrested in 2024 and investigated by the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash), was then sent on forced leave, and was later investigated on suspicion of trying to ask a subordinate for police materials in violation of the conditions of his removal from police facilities. Mualem claimed for his part that this is a political investigation and systematic persecution against him.

The event was held at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem under the title "Binyamin Breaking Through," as a salute event for the settlement in Binyamin - and Mualem took part in it even though he has not served as the commander of the Central Unit of the Judea and Samaria District for over two years. He currently serves in a position under the project manager for eradicating crime in the Arab sector.

During the salute evening, messages were also heard from the stage that dealt directly with the elections, the future of the government, and the continuation of Benjamin Netanyahu's tenure as Prime Minister. The fact of the arrival of the ministers and Netanyahu himself was known days earlier and was noted in the distributed invitation. For example, the Prime Minister referred in his speech to the parties running in the right-wing bloc and said:

"Today we have three mushrooms after the rain. We have, you know this, Feiglin, Winter, and Maoz. Whoever does not pass the electoral threshold burns the votes. Whoever passes will topple existing parties."

Later, he sent a message to the new parties:

"Either you withdraw or you unite with the existing parties. If you care about the future of the State of Israel, this is what you should do."

The head of the Binyamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, Israel Gantz, also spoke with diplomatic and political content. He praised the government and Netanyahu, called for the application of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, and even referred explicitly to the continuation of the Prime Minister's tenure:

"Under your leadership, we moved from stuttering to determination. Support for the continuation of your standing at the leadership of the country is not a political move but a national settlement interest."

Israel Gantz added: "In the next four years, with God's help, you will complete the mission."

Ynet has learned that other police officers were invited to the event, including district commanders. The commander of the Central Command was also invited, but unlike Mualem, the officers chose not to attend due to the sensitivity of participating in an event of this kind.

The Israel Police stated: "The matter is under review by the relevant authorities."

The Binyamin Regional Council stated: "Hundreds of partners in the work and development of the region over the years were invited to the annual salute event for the settlement in Binyamin, including a series of commanders and senior officers in the present and past in the IDF and the Israel Police, as a token of appreciation for their work for the security of the residents of Binyamin. Colonel Avishai Mualem was invited in that framework, as someone who previously served as the commander of the Judea and Samaria Central Unit and was a partner for years in the security work in the region and in maintaining the security of the residents. Any attempt to give the appreciation event a political character is a disservice to the truth and is fundamentally flawed."