From the Liveblog of
Sunday, January 1, 2023
Barlev makes no secret of dislike for Ben Gvir at handover ceremony
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Outgoing public security minister Barlev fires several barbs at the incoming minister, far-right leader Ben Gvir, at their official handover ceremony, calling on the police and security forces under the command of the ministry to stand up for their professional position.
“Keep a strong backbone, be a rock in the face of the headwinds, stand by your professional opinion — that is your duty,” says Barlev, alluding to the broadened powers Ben Gvir has received as minister through Knesset legislation — which critics, including Barlev, have said will politicize police operations.
Barlev notes the police, prisoner service and fire service, which all come under what has been renamed the National Security Ministry, feature Israelis of all kinds. “Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Circassians serve together, all Israelis, all working for one purpose — the internal security of the citizens of the state,” he says.
He adds, “There is no supremacy of one faith or sex over another; everyone is a partner, everyone is equal,” in a jibe against the nationalist, ultraconservative ideology of Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party.
Barlev begins his address with a lengthy account of his military service — an apparent attempt to diss Ben Gvir, who was barred from serving because of his extremist activities — and said that he had never needed security protection from the Shin Bet until he denounced extremist settlers for carrying out nationalist crimes against Palestinians in the West Bank.
