Senior Police Officers Warn Commissioner Over Worn-Out Patrol Fleet Amid Budget Dispute

Senior police officers warned Police Commissioner Dani Levy that hundreds of police patrol vehicles exceed manufacturer guidelines, with some having accumulated over 460,000 kilometers.

According to the officers, some of the vehicles are on the verge of being unserviceable, and continued use may impair the operational capability of the forces. They described the situation as a red flag regarding police readiness to handle extreme events, including a large-scale scenario such as the October 7 attack.

The issue arises against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute between the Commissioner and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir over a 333 million shekel budget that has not yet been transferred to the police. Last week, Levy warned that the delay in funds harms the procurement of about 330 operational vehicles and could compromise the ability to reach scenes, respond to citizen calls, and thwart terror and crime events.

Ben Gvir, on the other hand, claims he requested to stop the fund transfer after discovering that part of the budget is not designated for the agreed operational needs. Among other things, the minister claimed the police intended to redirect funds to administrative vehicles, renovations, and headquarters projects instead of field needs.

This budgetary dispute adds to the severe tension between the two over the appointment round in the police leadership. Following a week of mutual accusations, the holiday brought no relief to their relations, and the state of the vehicle fleet has now become another battleground in their conflict.