Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Police Commissioner Daniel Levy are locked in an extraordinary public confrontation over allegations that the police chief personally ordered officers to use excessive force against chareidi demonstrators protesting military conscription. The dispute escalated Monday after the Israel Police issued a blistering statement rejecting Ben Gvir’s accusations, while the minister stood by his claims that Levy had instructed officers to use batons and stun grenades against protesters.

The police response followed an urgent petition submitted by Ben Gvir to Israel’s High Court of Justice, seeking the removal of an interim order restricting his involvement in police operational instructions concerning demonstrations. In the court filing, the minister alleged that Levy had personally directed officers to intensify their use of force against chareidi protesters, even before disturbances had begun.

In a statement issued through its spokesperson’s office, the Israel Police categorically rejected the accusation that Levy had ordered violence against demonstrators for improper reasons or in violation of police regulations.

“The claim that Police Commissioner Daniel Levy instructed officers to use violence against chareidi protesters for improper motives or contrary to the law and regulations is baseless, completely unfounded and outrageous,” the police statement declared.

Ben Gvir’s office responded immediately, insisting that the minister had no intention of retracting his accusations and providing additional details about the conduct he attributed to the commissioner.

“The minister stands behind everything he said. Police Commissioner Daniel Levy ordered police forces to use severe and increased violence against chareidi demonstrators, and was even quoted as saying, ‘I want to see blood.’ The commissioner personally approached officers and district commanders in the field and instructed them to use batons against protesters. In addition, he removed district commanders from their positions unlawfully and without the minister’s approval, and even traveled abroad and remains there at this moment without obtaining the minister’s authorization,” Ben Gvir’s office stated.

The minister’s representatives further accused Levy of allowing political considerations to influence his decisions following the recent Knesset elections.

“The minister appreciates and supports the officers of the Israel Police, but direct responsibility for what is happening rests with the commissioner, who, from the moment the election results became known, decided to curry favor with Yair Golan, Yoav Segalovitz and Ra’am,” the statement continued.

Police officials responded by describing the minister’s allegations as “serious, delusional and disgraceful,” accusing him of attacking the very institution he is responsible for overseeing.

The police said Ben Gvir’s accusations “cross every line, particularly coming from the minister responsible for the police, who, instead of supporting its officers and commanders, chooses to malign them, cast doubt on their professionalism and damage public confidence in those entrusted with their security.”

At the center of the controversy is Ben Gvir’s request that the High Court lift restrictions preventing him from intervening in operational decisions concerning protests. The minister contends that those restrictions have prevented him from exercising appropriate oversight while police commanders have allegedly authorized increasingly aggressive tactics against chareidi demonstrators.

In his submission, Ben Gvir alleged that Levy had contacted commanders directly and ordered them to deploy batons and stun grenades before protesters had engaged in public disturbances. Those allegations have been firmly denied by the police.

The police spokesperson’s office emphasized that accusations of deliberate violence against civilians represent a particularly serious attack on the integrity of the country’s law enforcement personnel.

“The attempt to attribute to the commissioner and police commanders a deliberate intention to harm civilians is especially serious and constitutes a direct attack on the thousands of police officers, Border Police and National Guard personnel, and volunteers who work day and night with dedication and self-sacrifice for public safety and security,” the statement said.

Police leadership also rejected suggestions that operational decisions were being influenced by political loyalties.

“The Israel Police is not a tool for political attacks. The commissioner, police commanders and officers will continue to act with impartiality, professionalism and in accordance with the laws of the State of Israel, without fear or favoritism,” the statement declared.

The department added that “no attempt to malign the police or its leadership will divert them from their mission and their unwavering commitment to the security of Israel’s citizens.”

It further maintained that “the Israel Police is an apolitical police force that carries out its duties equally for all Israeli citizens. That is how it has acted, and that is how it will continue to act.”

In an unusually direct appeal to the minister, police leadership concluded by demanding that Ben Gvir withdraw his accusations.

“Retract the statement that harms all members of the Israel Police, and the sooner the better,” the statement said.

The confrontation follows disturbing scenes at recent anti-draft demonstrations, particularly near the Geha-Jabotinsky intersection at the entrance to Bnei Brak, where video footage showed police throwing stun grenades toward groups of chareidi protesters and using batons and kicks during confrontations.

Those incidents have generated criticism of police conduct, including from individuals described in Israeli media reports as police insiders.

In recent days, sources within the police were quoted as saying that “the commissioner has completely lost control of the police,” reflecting concern over the handling of demonstrations and the growing controversy surrounding the use of force.

{Matzav.com}