Ben Gvir says speculation about next police commissioner is false

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s office puts out a statement saying that recent media speculation over his preferences for the next police commissioner are false.

“In response to questions from reports, it should be clear that the process to identify the next Israel Police commissioner has not yet begun,” the statement said, calling recent reports “speculation.”

The statement apparently follows an article in the Haaretz daily that said Ben Gvir was considering appointing controversial IDF officer IDF Brig. Gen. Ofer Winter to the post.

Winter was recently again passed over for promotion and is expected to retire from the IDF.

Winter came under considerable criticism in the 2014 Gaza war for comments he made at the time that framed the operation as a religious fight, for allegedly passing information to politicians without proper approval, and for his actions during the highly controversial “Black Friday” battle in Rafah.