Police Commissioner Raises Possibility of Petitioning the High Court of Justice Over Delay of 350 Million Shekels

Dispute Over Police Funding

According to the source, approximately 350 million shekels were supposed to have been transferred to the police as early as April. Police leadership claims that the delay is preventing the replacement of vehicles, equipment and technologies, since more than 90% of the organization’s budget is allocated to salaries and ongoing expenses. During a hearing before the Knesset Finance Committee, the police also sought approval for a transfer of 71 million shekels, but the request was not approved due to political disagreements.

Possible Petition to the High Court of Justice

The Police Commissioner stated that he does not intend to relinquish the funds that were allocated and that, if necessary, he would petition the High Court of Justice, even though such a step is not considered customary for a Police Commissioner. As of the publication date, only a possible petition was being discussed: the source does not report that a petition has already been filed or that the court has issued any decision. There is no case number.

Appointment of Senior Officers

A separate dispute concerns the promotion and placement of officers in command positions. Approximately 30 officers holding the rank of deputy commander are awaiting promotion and appointment to positions at police stations and in districts. According to the legal procedure cited in the report, the appointments require the minister’s signature, but police leadership intends to continue the preparatory personnel work because several units have remained without permanent commanders for months.

Election Preparations

The police plan to deploy approximately 22,000 officers to secure the elections—about 5,000 more than in the previous elections. Particular attention is being given to threats of terrorist attacks, the possibility of rocket fire and public disorder following the publication of exit polls at 22:00. Preparations are being conducted in cooperation with the Israel Security Agency, the Israel Defense Forces, the Central Elections Committee and the Home Front Command; if voting must be halted, the authorized bodies will have to consider the possibility of extending polling-station operating hours.

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