Controversial former IDF officer tapped as Israel Police chief

Former IDF brigadier general Gal Hirsch, who quit the army in a storm following the 2006 Second Lebanon War, was tapped Tuesday to be Israel’s next chief of police, ending months of speculation over who would next take the reins at the scandal-wracked force.

To the evident dismay of acting chief Bentzi Sau, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan nominated Hirsch, a once-promising senior IDF officer who resigned over a damning inquiry into the 2006 abduction of Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev on the northern border while he was commander of the Galilee Division. Sau is now resigning.

The 51-year-old Hirsch currently works as chair of the Israel Leadership Institute and CEO of Defensive Shield Holdings, a company that describes itself as “provider of strategic, operational and tactical solutions for the defense, security, and homeland security sectors around the world.”

“This morning, the minister of public security informed me that I am a candidate for the position of next chief of police,” Hirsch said in a Facebook post Tuesday. “I am happy at the trust shown in me and await the completion of the appointment process.” He made similar comments to reporters on Tuesday evening.

Tapping an outsider

Israel’s police force has recently been hit by a series of high-profile corruption and sexual harassment scandals, and Erdan previously indicated that he might seek to appoint a figure from outside the Israel Police as Yohanan Danino’s successor.

Senior police officers were less positive about the announcement, Channel 2 reported, saying that Erdan’s decision “denigrates the police, and points to a lack of basic understanding of the way in which the organization works.”

Bringing in a chief from outside police ranks is unusual, but not unprecedented. In January 1980, Herzl Shafi, who had served as GOC Southern Command, took over as police chief. Shafir stepped down after a year, also amid controversy.

Hirsch, a former commander of the Israel Air Force’s Special Forces unit, Shaldag (kingfisher), was the commander of the Galilee Division during the Second Lebanon War. He came under intense scrutiny and criticism in the wake of the abduction of the two soldiers, and was castigated by some for giving incomprehensible orders.

Others, however, noted Hirsch’s stellar record with Shaldag and his role during Operation Defensive Shield in 2002, when, as IDF Central Command’s chief operations officer, he faced down criticism from the General Staff and crafted that mission’s overwhelmingly successful battle plan, essentially taking the entire West Bank in a matter of days and choking the flow of terror.

“Hirsch is a worthy and respected warrior, who held a series of command positions in the army and who led his soldiers in battle and many operations with courage and creativity,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday night in response to the appointment, Channel 2 reported.

“As incoming police commissioner he will drive the police forward in the face of challenges, while constantly striving to improve personal security for Israeli citizens and strengthening the rule of law,” he said.

Erdan, who made the appointment, hailed Hirsch as someone who could guide the police in a much-needed new direction.

“Gal Hirsch is an outstanding officer, and seen as someone who spearheads change and reform in each unit under his command,” Erdan said. “I am convinced that he is most suitable candidate at present to lead the changes needed in the Israel Police and strengthen the trust in it.”

Erdan said the police needed an overhaul, and that three internal candidates he had considered, including Sau, had not quite measured up. He mentioned the police’s failure to prevent the killing of Shira Banki, 16, at last month’s Jerusalem Pride Parade by ultra-Orthodox assailant Yishai Schlissel, who had only just been released from 10 years in jail for attacking a previous parade and had indicated he intended to strike again.

Following the announcement of Hirsch’s nomination, acting chief Sau said he would leave the force on September 1. Sau, the former Tel Aviv district chief, took over as acting commissioner following the departure of Danino in July.

Hirsch’s confirmation as police chief is subject to government approval.

Mitch Ginsburg contributed to this report