Gantz to Netanyahu: Don’t let Ben Gvir be involved in picking next Israel Police chief

National Unity party leader Benny Gantz calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take a prominent role in appointing the next Israel Police chief — and sideline the decision of far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

“I call on the prime minister to remember his primary responsibility, to use his authority to interview himself the candidates for police chief and to be involved in this process,” Gantz says during a tour up north.

“We cannot leave this critical decision to the State of Israel and to its citizens in the hands of Ben Gvir,” he adds. “Someone who secretly records the police chief, leaks from sensitive meetings, fails daily in managing personal security, who is an anti-statesmanlike figure, cannot appoint the next police chief.”

Gantz says that Netanyahu must himself consult with the relevant professionals and appoint the next commissioner of the Israel Police “and not abandon this strategic position.”

Gantz reiterates his call to also replace Ben Gvir in his position with “a serious person with relevant skills.”