National Security Ministry

Deputy Attorney General Avital Sompolinsky speaks during a meeting of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee on February 5, 2023. (Twitter screenshot; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

February 5, 2023, 5:07 pm

Deputy AG says judicial overhaul would render Israel a ‘very weak democracy’

Avital Sompolinsky tells Knesset panel coalition’s plan seeks to ‘almost completely cancel’ oversight; deputy AGs Limon and Marari slam push to subordinate police to government

By Michael Bachner

A man fires a pistol at an indoor shooting range during a qualification course in Katzrin in Golan Heights on January 31, 2023. (JALAA MAREY / AFP)

February 2, 2023, 1:27 pm

Ben Gvir announces plan to streamline gun license applications after terror attacks

National security minister says licensing department to get double the personnel and work longer hours, and security officers will no longer need to be interviewed

By Emanuel Fabian

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir speaks to reporters at Shaare Zedek hospital in Jerusalem on January 28, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

January 30, 2023, 4:51 pm

With his bogus attack on the attorney general, Ben Gvir is off to a furious start

The new national security minister is carrying on as he did in his rabble-rousing activist days, screaming and hurling insults instead of taking real steps to defeat terrorism

By Tal Schneider

(From L-R) Police commissioner Kobi Shabtai, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. (Collage/Flash90)

January 20, 2023, 1:56 am

Security chiefs form task force to determine Shin Bet assistance in fighting crime

Ben Gvir meets with police, Shin Bet chiefs in effort to advance controversial plan to involve security agency in combatting rampant crime in Arab communities

By TOI staff

Protesters clash with police after attending a demonstration against the Benjamin Netanyahu's government, in Tel Aviv, on January 14, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

January 20, 2023, 1:04 am

Bill would curb protests, give police more tools to end them; Ben Gvir: Won’t happen

Ministries confirm still discussing proposals, from era of previous Netanyahu gov’t; would reportedly bar protests near leaders’ homes, let cops disperse them on flimsy grounds

By Michael Bachner

Police Commander Kobi Yaakobi, in a maske due to the COVID-19 pandemic, at a court hearing for a petition filed by local residents to cancel demonstrations in front of the official residence of then-prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on August 16, 2020. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

January 16, 2023, 9:07 am

Ben Gvir appoints officer in charge of policing anti-Netanyahu protests to top post

Assistant Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi was accused by some demonstrators of a heavy hand in dealing with ‘Balfour’ protests outside PM’s residence, will serve as security secretary

By TOI staff

Israelis protest against the Israeli government, at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, on January 7, 2023. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

January 10, 2023, 1:22 pm

Daily Briefing Jan. 10: Ministers rethink public broadcaster; new Jewish Agency boss

Political correspondent Tal Schneider looks at government’s possible plans for Kan and Army Radio; Diaspora reporter Judah Ari Gross on JAFI head Doron Almog, immigration numbers

By TOI staff

Incoming Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir (right) and his predecessor Omer Barlev at a handover ceremony at the National Security Ministry in Jerusalem on January 1, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

January 7, 2023, 2:28 am

Rebranding of Ben Gvir’s police ministry to cost between NIS 2-3 million

Ministers to vote Sunday to change name of Public Security Ministry to National Security Ministry, as demanded by far-right leader; cabinet also to approve several senior officials

By TOI staff

Tourists visit the Temple Mount compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, on January 3, 2023. (Jamal Awad/Flash90)

January 5, 2023, 1:27 pm

Daily Briefing Jan. 5: The UN and its anti-Israel bias; NY’s Haredim vs. the NYT

Political correspondent Jacob Magid and US reporter Luke Tress discuss resolutions against Israel and its relations with Russia, and yeshiva education in New York

By TOI staff

Incoming National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir (left) meets with Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai on January 1, 2023 (National Security Ministry)

January 4, 2023, 11:31 am

Yesh Atid petitions High Court against law expanding Ben Gvir’s powers over police

MKs Mickey Levy and Yoav Segalovitz, both former police commanders, call last week’s legislation unconstitutional, claiming it aims to ‘turn police into a political entity’

By TOI staff

Jews visit the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.(AP/Maya Alleruzzo)

January 4, 2023, 3:33 am

UN Security Council slated to meet on widely decried Temple Mount visit by Ben Gvir

Session unlikely to lead to formal censure but will reflect anger and concerns surrounding sensitive site, with one US official accusing far-right minister of trying to sow chaos

By Jacob Magid and AP

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visits the Temple Mount, January 3, 2023 (Courtesy Minhelet Har Habayit)

January 3, 2023, 1:26 pm

Wave of international criticism after Ben Gvir visits flashpoint Temple Mount

Jordan summons envoy; condemnations from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt; calls to maintain status quo from US, Europe; Palestinian Authority PM: Plot ‘to turn Al-Aqsa into Jewish temple’

By TOI staff

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir (2nd from left) visits the Temple Mount on January 3, 2023. (Youtube screenshot; used in accordance with clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

January 3, 2023, 8:03 am

Ben Gvir visits Temple Mount for 1st time as minister, despite indicating he’d delay

National security minister says ‘government will not surrender to Hamas’ after terror group warned against his visit; Likud denies Netanyahu asked far-right leader to postpone

By TOI staff

The Palestinian flag and a Hamas banner are raised following Eid al-Adha prayers on the Temple Mount, July 20, 2021. (Jamal Awad/Flash90)

January 2, 2023, 4:53 pm

Hamas warns Ben Gvir could ‘blow up the situation’ if he visits Temple Mount

Terror group threatens national security minister and says his plans will be ‘met with resistance’; minister’s party colleagues say he won’t be deterred

By Ash Obel and TOI staff

Far-right MK Itamar Ben Gvir arrives to visit the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City on August 7, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/ Flash90)

January 2, 2023, 12:06 am

New police minister Ben Gvir gears up for Temple Mount visit, possibly this week

Far-right lawmaker confirms he plans to visit flashpoint Jerusalem site, but doesn’t say when; police said set to weigh request, amid fear it will trigger Palestinian violence

By TOI staff