Ben Gvir selects Deputy Commissioner Kobi Yaakovi as interim prison service chief

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir nominates Israel Police Deputy Commissioner Kobi Yaakovi as the interim replacement for Israel Prison Service Chief Commissioner Katy Perry after deciding earlier this week not to keep her on.

Yaakovi currently serves as the military secretary in the National Security Ministry.

“Deputy Commissioner Kobi Yaakovi is the right person to lead the Israel Prison Service during this period,” Ben Gvir says of his decision. “Yaakovi is a decorated, respected, assertive, professional and sharp police officer, which is exactly what the prison service needs right now.”

The decision has not been approved by the government, and comes amid fierce disagreements after the National Unity coalition party said that the decision to replace Perry violates the terms of its coalition agreement whereby senior state officials would not be replaced during its time in the government.