Ben Gvir, pushing for crackdown on protests, said to weigh firing Tel Aviv’s top cop

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is reportedly threatening to oust Tel Aviv’s top police commander over apparent dissatisfaction with his handling of anti-government protests in the coastal city.

Several Hebrew outlets reported Thursday that the far-right minister was gearing up to fire Haim Sargarof. However, dismissing the Tel Aviv District chief would require the consent of Israel Police Commissioner Danny Levy, who is reportedly opposed to the move.

According to senior police officials quoted by Haaretz, Ben Gvir’s threats were meant to pressure both Sargarof and Levy into taking harsher action against demonstrators.

Police denied that Sargarof’s dismissal was under consideration.

“Regarding the alleged dismissal of the Tel Aviv District commander, we will clarify that this is fake news, a product of the publishers’ imagination and their responsibility alone,” police announced Thursday night in a statement.

Police added that Levy “respects and appreciates the Tel Aviv District commander, Deputy Commissioner Haim Sargaroff,” lauding him as “a professional and highly accomplished officer who faithfully carries out his duty, day and night.”

The reports came hours after Ben Gvir published his proposed policy on how police are to handle protesters, seeking to forbid demonstrators from blocking major roads or rallying at synagogues, among other restrictions.

Several senior police officers voiced their displeasure with the document, telling the Ynet news outlet that decisions regarding such matters should be made by officers on the ground, rather than an elected official.

Ben Gvir sought the approval of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara for the move several months ago, but claimed he received no response. He vowed to implement the restrictions regardless of her approval, should she fail to respond by Tuesday, despite having signed a legally binding compromise with the attorney general in April that requires him to confer with her and the Israel Police chief before setting policy on matters of protests and freedom of expression.

Baharav-Miara is expected to oppose the proposed limitations, the Kan public broadcaster reported Thursday night.

Ben Gvir feuds regularly with Baharav-Miara over his interference in police matters, particularly regarding anti-government protests and police promotions. She has frequently claimed that the minister’s behavior threatens to harm the force’s professional, apolitical character.

The government voted recently to push Baharav-Miara out of her post — a move that was frozen by the High Court until further notice as it prepares to review it.