At a pre-Rosh Hashanah toast at the National Police Academy in Beit Shemesh, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Daniel Levi downplayed reports of tensions over blocked senior officer promotions, presenting a united front.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the National Police Academy in Beit Shemesh on Sunday for a traditional pre-Rosh Hashanah toast, arriving alongside Police Commissioner Daniel Levi amid recent reports of a rift between the two.
The backdrop: Ben-Gvir opposed a number of planned senior officer promotions, leading to their cancellation at today’s ceremony.
Commissioner Levi: “No Drama, No Quarrel”
In his speech, Commissioner Levi praised the minister’s support:
“This is the place to thank the minister for his commitment to police work, for the support, partnership and the desire to advance the organization and lead change.”
He dismissed reports of a severe clash:
“I returned from Germany and Poland and saw in the media as if there had been some confrontation — that’s not true. There was no quarrel, no name-calling. The decision was to postpone, not to advance everything at once.”
Levi emphasized that promotions are an organizational responsibility, not personal:
“We will continue to work step by step, patiently.”
Ben-Gvir: “No Wedge Between Us”
For his part, Ben-Gvir insisted that outside forces were exaggerating the dispute:
“Various parties are trying to drive a wedge between us; it will not help them, we are together for this organization.”
The joint appearance and conciliatory remarks appear aimed at projecting stability within Israel’s police leadership, despite the ongoing debate over Regulation 170 and the pace of officer promotions.
