Police chief distances himself from court filing against Ben Gvir

In a letter to the attorney general, Police Commissioner Danny Levy partially distances himself from court filings signed in his name against National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s refusal to promote a policewoman involved in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial, Hebrew outlets report.

The national security minister has for months been blocking the promotion of Supt. Rinat Saban, a high-ranking investigator, against the wishes of police brass and the attorney general.

The affidavit submitted last night to the Jerusalem District Court is signed jointly by Levy and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. It requests that a judge order Ben Gvir to sign off on Saban’s promotion, and if he refuses, that Levy be permitted to appoint her without the minister’s signature. It also states that Ben Gvir’s refusal could sow fear among police officers who testify in criminal investigations, and discourage them from probing public figures.

Levy, who was chosen by Ben Gvir to helm the police, is said to take issue with claims made in the affidavit that the far-right minister is motivated by political considerations in his refusal to promote Saban.

In the letter, Levy reportedly “rejects out of hand” any attempt to attribute to him statements that seek to interpret Ben Gvir’s considerations or suggest that he violated a judge’s order.

Levy also claims that he requested to file his own affidavit separate from the attorney general, but was denied.