Ben Gvir protests restrictions on his role in police operations

Published June 17th, 2024 - 07:45 GMT
Ben-Gvir protests restrictions on his role in police operations
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir speaks to the press as he joins Jewish nationalists, including far-right activists, rallying at Jerusalem's Damascus Gate on June 5, 2024 during the so-called Jerusalem Day flag march, that commemorates the Israeli army's capture in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war of the city's eastern sector, home to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, which Jews call the Temple Mount. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)

ALBAWABA - Atmar Ben Ghaffer claims that his work was obstructed and accused the police chief, Kobe Shabtai, and the government's judicial adviser of conspiring against him and turning him into a vase-like minister, as a result of which he put a vase on his desk chair instead of being there to protest that he has become a minister of no use with no value to the government.

This demonstration occurs before the Supreme Court's upcoming verdict on a legislation modification that would bring the police and inspector general under the National Security Minister. Critics say Ben-Gvir is politicizing the police to cement his power.

The scandal began when the police head revealed that settlers blocked routes to the crossings and prevented "aid convoys" from reaching Gaza.

Shabtai told Haaretz, "National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir instructed the deputy police chief and the southern district commander not to provide security for the aid truck convoys to Gaza without his approval."

Shabtai wrote to Government Legal Advisor Gali Baharav-Miara about Ben-Gvir's attempts to influence police actions, breaching a court order.

Shabtai said Ben-Gvir warned of "consequences" when he told him of the police's convoy security strategy.

Ben-Gvir ignored a March Supreme Court ruling to cease giving police commanders direct commands without consulting the police chief.

The Russian warships, including the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, will be in Havana from Wednesday until Monday, according to the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the Associated Press, Cuba confirmed that none of the vessels had nuclear weapons and do not threaten the area, underlining their traditionally strong ties with Russia.

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