Police scrap appointment of man with history of anti-LGBTQ incitement, race crimes

Israel Police Commissioner Daniel Levy ordered on Tuesday the cancellation of a senior appointment within the force for an enlistment officer, after it was reported that the appointee, Rahamim Hugi, had called for violence against the LGBTQ community and had a criminal record that includes assault and race-based crimes.

Hugi had been slated to head the Israel Police’s new ultra-Orthodox enlistment department, but the Aguda LGBTQ umbrella organization said on Tuesday that it had received word from Levy that the appointment would not be moving forward. A police spokesperson later confirmed to The Times of Israel that the offer had been rescinded.

Levy’s about-face came after the i24 news outlet reported on Monday evening that Hugi had been confirmed as head of the police’s new ultra-Orthodox enlistment directorate, with a rank of chief superintendent.

The outlet first reported on the police chief’s plan to appoint Hugi in November, although it did not identify him by name at the time, saying only that a man accused of racist and anti-LGBTQ incitement was in the running to become the police’s new ultra-Orthodox enlistment czar. At the time, the candidate was said to be the favorite of far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s inner circle.

He is currently employed in the IDF’s ultra-Orthodox enlistment division, according to Channel 12.

Hugi was arrested at the 2015 Jerusalem Pride Parade, when ultra-Orthodox extremist Yishai Schlissel went on a stabbing rampage, killing 16-year-old Shira Banki and wounding five others.

According to i24, Hugi was at the scene to protest the parade, and was arrested after he called for stabbing all the participants.

The police tried to obtain a restraining order against him in the run-up to the Tel Aviv Pride Parade the following year, i24 reported, and told the court that Hugi had “a very extensive criminal record of assault, property [damage], public order, and racially motivated offenses.”

The restraining order was not issued for procedural reasons, the outlet said, and police eventually withdrew their request.

Uri Banki, Shira’s father, told the Kan public broadcaster that the decision to cancel Hugi’s appointment was proof that “maybe there is hope for the State of Israel — every now and then, common sense rears its head.”

Aguda chair Nimrod Gornstein welcomed Levy’s decision to cancel Hugi’s appointment, saying that “the direct and consistent contact of the Aguda with the police leadership has led to the cancellation of a serious and unacceptable appointment of a man who has called for violence and murder against the LGBTQ community.”

“This is not just an LGBTQ issue,” said Gornstein. “With its opposition to the appointment, the Aguda speaks for everyone who condemns racism, hatred and incitement.”

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.