Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Monday nominated Deputy Police Commissioner Avshalom Peled for the position of top cop, replacing outgoing commissioner Yaakov Shabtai, who is expected to leave the post over the summer.
“Deputy Commissioner Avshalom Peled is the right man to lead the Israel Police,” tweeted Ben-Gvir, adding: “Peled is an officer with rich experience, professional and sharp. Peled is a fighter for the country and a manager who will move the police forward.”
Ben-Gvir also thanked Shabtai for his “forty years of service and fighting for the people of Israel.” The two regularly clashed since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Ben-Gvir to oversee the police.
In an interview with Channel 12 that aired a year ago, Ben-Gvir implied that Shabtai was under the influence of radical elements with regard to his management of the anti-government protests.
“I know the police commissioner is under several types of pressure. The radical left is pressuring him, and I hope he doesn’t surrender. There is a policy of the Israeli government, and the police commissioner needs to implement the minister’s policy,” said Ben-Gvir.
Shabtai subsequently announced that he would step down at the end of his term, saying he could not continue to serve in the position due to the current political climate.
Peled’s appointment will need to approved by the Advisory Committee on Senior Civil Service Appointments, which vets nominees to key civil service positions and currently includes Civil Service Commissioner Daniel Hershkowitz, professor Talia Einhorn and Moshe Terry.
Ben-Gvir promoted Peled, who previously served as commander of the Hebron District and deputy commander of the Jerusalem District, from the organization’s head of training to deputy commissioner.
At the promotion ceremony, Ben-Gvir praised Peled for performing “miracles” during his service in Hebron and said he “showed me what it is like to like the police.”
