Israel Police Chief's Move to Bypass Ben-Gvir Collapses Amid Legal Hurdle

A fresh crisis has erupted at the top tier of the Israel Police as an initiative promoted by Inspector General of Police Danny Levi to assign officers to new positions without completing official promotion procedures has collapsed due to legal obstacles.

The affair began when the Inspector General attempted to advance a series of officer appointments despite objections from Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and the absence of his signature on the appointments. The move faced opposition from the Attorney General, who argued that such promotions violated legal procedures.

Faced with this roadblock, Levi opted for an alternative arrangement: assigning the officers to new lateral roles through an operational attachment mechanism. This would allow them to perform their intended duties practically, even without formal rank advancements.

Although the Inspector General informed Minister Ben-Gvir and the relevant officers of the plan, it quickly encountered another legal hurdle. Over the past 24 hours, several officers began receiving notices that the initiative was being cancelled following a legal opinion determining that the alternative framework was also unlawful.

A senior police officer sharply criticized the handling of the situation, telling the press: "The organization has never operated in such an embarrassing manner. Officers who prepare themselves for promotion and excitement suddenly receive cancellation notices. The Inspector General has dragged the organization into a political struggle that has nothing to do with it."

This incident deepens the ongoing tension between the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of National Security, leaving officers caught in the middle of the dispute after they had already prepared for their new roles only to face sudden cancellations.