Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Tuesday, December 20, 2022

‘Ben Gvir bill’ that aims to boost political control of police passes 1st Knesset reading

By Carrie Keller-Lynn 20 December 2022, 3:11 pm Edit

Carrie Keller-Lynn is a political and legal correspondent for The Times of Israel

MK Itamar Ben Gvir, left, and Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai attend a special committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, on December 14, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

A contentious bill that would expand political control over the Israel Police advances in the Knesset, clearing its first reading 63-53 after a 4.5-hour filibuster staged by the incoming opposition.

Pressed by expected incoming national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir, the bill would put the force’s leadership and some of its policy explicitly under Ben Gvir’s control.

While made “subordinate” to Ben Gvir, the police commissioner is also described in the legislation as the police’s “highest commanding authority.”

The bill now returns to committee tomorrow in preparation for its second and third — final — readings, expected as early as next week.