Police Chief Hits Back at Ben Gvir: "Absurd and Shameful"

In depth

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir filed an urgent petition with the High Court of Justice through his attorney Zeev Wolf, demanding the cancellation of an interim order barring him from intervening in protests. Ben Gvir claimed that Police Commissioner Danny Levy ordered harsh violence against Haredi protesters and even allegedly said he wanted to see blood.

According to the minister, the commissioner instructed forces to use batons and stun grenades even before the protests began in the field, and also accused him of selective enforcement and of transferring officers without approval. The Israel Police strongly rejected the allegations, calling them baseless, absurd, unfounded and outrageous.

The Commissioner's office said that instead of backing the officers and commanders, the minister in charge of the police is choosing to disparage them and undermines public trust. The police demanded that the minister retract his words and stressed that the Israel Police is not a tool for political attacks, but Ben Gvir responded to the criticism and made clear that he stands behind everything he raised.