Police debt stands at NIS 700 million
June salaries at risk; vendors threatening to cut off food, fuel deliveries
The Israel Police is in debt to the tune of NIS 700 million, Army Radio reported on Tuesday morning.
According to the report, fuel and food vendors are threatening to stop delivery of their products if the police department does not pay its debts, it was revealed during a meeting of top police brass on Monday.
Although the Finance Ministry was reportedly supposed to transfer funds to the police, police sources claim that the Treasury “is not giving us money, contrary to our agreements.”
Sources in the Finance Ministry responded: “We will make an effort to cover the deficit within the framework of discussions.” Ministry representatives claim that they will provide budgetary assistance to the police to the best of their ability, Army Radio reported.
In addition to being unable to pay vendors, the police might not be able to cover salaries in the next few months.
Former police commissioner Moshe Karadi told Army Radio: “The Israel Police, because of its budget structure, has been engaged in survival and not development for years.” He explained further: “The police budget is around NIS 7 billion, and more than 85% of this was allotted to payroll. The army also has similar problems, but it enjoys US aid that the police doesn’t have.”
This budgetary crisis comes in the wake of recent waves of crime, for which the police department has come under harsh criticism for failing to prevent.
