28% of Israeli police officers resigned since Ben-Gvir took office: Report

Twenty-eight percent of Israeli police officers have resigned since Itamar Ben-Gvir became national security minister in December 2022, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Thursday.

The newspaper said the figures were presented and documented during closed-door discussions held against the backdrop of a manpower shortage in the Israeli police force.

The data also showed an increase in police recruitment during Ben-Gvir’s tenure, but more than a quarter of the new recruits were assigned to the Border Police or the so-called National Guard, which falls under the National Security Ministry, Haaretz said.

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Despite the recruitment drive, there is still a shortage of around 2,000 officers at police stations and in Israel’s traffic division, according to the report.

In April 2023, the Israeli government formally approved the establishment of a National Guard under the National Security Ministry.

Opponents criticized placing the force under Ben-Gvir’s authority, arguing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had effectively agreed to establish a “private militia” under the far-right Otzma Yehudit leader in exchange for political concessions.

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