Ben Gvir delays promotion of cop investigating PM’s graft case, sparking police backlash
AG decries ‘political interference’ by far-right minister, says move may be ‘blatant violation’ of legally binding agreement barring him from involvement in police appointments
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National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir clashed head-on with the police force Tuesday morning after reportedly circulating a letter against the promotion of an investigator involved in one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trials.
The letter alleged that the officer in question, Supt. Rinat Saban, lacked the qualifications to advance to the rank of chief superintendent over so-called “memory issues,” Hebrew media reported.
Ben Gvir’s letter and the ensuing news stories published about the investigator prompted an unusually fierce response from the Israel Police against the far-right minister, who oversees law enforcement.
In an official statement Tuesday, police demanded the “immediate removal of the offensive publications” surrounding Saban.
The policewoman’s promotion was “thoroughly examined by the Chief Commissioner and a panel of senior police officers… who decided that she is worthy of attending the police command and staff course and [receiving a] promotion,” the announcement read, lauding Saban as a “professional and highly-accomplished police officer.”
In March, Saban testified against Netanyahu in court and previously investigated his advisers Jonatan Urich and Ofer Golan on suspicion they harassed Shlomo Filber, a state witness in Case 4000, the most serious of the three cases in the premier’s ongoing corruption trial.
She currently serves as an assistant to the head of the police’s investigations and intelligence department, Deputy Commissioner Boaz Blatt.
Ben Gvir has reportedly been blocking Saban’s promotion since at least early June, contrary to the wishes of Israel Police Commissioner Daniel Levy., who behind closed doors has several times taken issue with Ben Gvir’s interference in police appointments and operational decision-making.
In response to Ben Gvir’s letter Tuesday, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara told the National Security Ministry and police that Ben Gvir’s refusal to sign off on Saban’s promotion was “improper political interference,” according to the Haaretz daily.
She said the move may constitute a “blatant violation” of her legally binding agreement with Ben Gvir, which aimed to curb his involvement in police promotions, among other things.
Critics, legal experts and the attorney general have accused the minister of using his authority in a manner that constitutes illegitimate intervention in the force, using promotions as a carrot-and-stick to influence police decision-making and advance his political agenda.
The Times of Israel Community.