Israeli Party Leaders Present Plans to Rebuild Police and Fight Crime

Amid a sharp rise in violent crime, record homicide rates, and mounting criticism of the Ministry of National Security and the police, leading Israeli politicians presented their strategies for law enforcement reform. Speaking at the "Decision Time: Democracy and Society" conference, organized by ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth in cooperation with the Israel Democracy Institute, party leaders addressed how they plan to rehabilitate the nation's police force.

Gadi Eisenkot: Recall Thousands of Former Officers

Yeshar! party leader Gadi Eisenkot emphasized the need for professional leadership and a massive recruitment drive:

"Following the most failed national security minister in Israel's history, we must appoint a worthy, professional individual who knows how to execute, not just talk. The next step is to allocate major budgets to the police and recall hundreds, perhaps thousands, of capable officers who resigned over the past five years."

Eisenkot added that combating crime requires a comprehensive national strategy integrating law enforcement, education, and local leadership.

Naftali Bennett: Re-establish the Anti-Crime Cabinet

Behad leader Naftali Bennett called for the immediate dismissal of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the restoration of the specialized ministerial cabinet:

"Under my government, we reduced homicides by 20%. Then Ben Gvir and Netanyahu took over. They dismantled the cabinet and the task force led by Yoav Segalovich. Consequently, homicides surged from 148 a year to 300 within a single year, and the numbers have only grown since."

Bennett warned that businesses in Hatzor HaGlilit and Beer Sheva are suffering from widespread protection rackets, calling the situation a historic failure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appointed Ben Gvir.

Avigdor Lieberman: Mobilize Shin Bet and Tax Authorities

Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman argued that the Ministry of National Security is no longer equipped to handle the crisis alone, pointing to a recent high-profile gangland assassination in Caesarea:

"A cartel-style execution took place in broad daylight, just a three-minute drive from the Prime Minister's residence. We must establish a unified national security task force that integrates the Shin Bet, the Tax Authority, the Ministry of Justice, and the State Attorney's Office."

Lieberman also named Druze MK Hamad Amar as his candidate to replace Ben Gvir as the next minister.

Bezalel Smotrich: Enact Draconian Anti-Weapon Laws

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich focused on the proliferation of illegal firearms in the Arab sector, calling the estimated one million illegal weapons a primary national security threat:

"We need a radical shift in our legal framework. We must pass legislation defining illegal weapon possession as terrorism, allowing the Shin Bet to deploy its full capabilities. If a weapon is found in your home or car, you should face immediate imprisonment without the need for further evidentiary proof."

Smotrich proposed raising the minimum sentence for weapons trafficking to 20 years in prison, alongside continuing the fight against the black market and promoting development in the Negev and Galilee.

Yair Golan: Launch a Multi-Agency Task Force

The Democrats leader Yair Golan expressed confidence in a swift organizational recovery for the police:

"We intend to launch a program to establish a government task force led by a prosecutor, comprising officials from all relevant ministries. This multi-dimensional plan requires a budget of at least one billion shekels. Rehabilitating a hierarchical organization like the police is highly achievable."

Yaakov Asher: Arab Community Leadership Must Take Responsibility

United Torah Judaism MK Yaakov Asher called for depoliticizing the police and backing officers, while urging Arab community leaders to take a stand:

"The police must act, but we also need to see condemnation from within the Arab community and its leadership. When I chaired the committee on road safety, I saw a massive rate of unlicensed driving in that sector, yet no public representative stood up to educate or condemn it."