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Erdan Taps Former IDF Officer Gal Hirsch as Next Israel Police Chief


galPublic Security Minister Gilad Erdan announced his nomination for the next Chief of Israel Police, former IDF Brigadier-General Gal Hirsch. The appointment must be approved by the Turkel Committee and the cabinet, which is expected to be the case.

Hirsch, a highly decorated officer, resigned from the military after the Second Lebanon War after he came under fire for his conduct. His appointment came as a surprise to many, not to mention Acting Police Chief Bentzi Sau, who close friends signal will retire from the force when his tenure ends on September 1, 2015. There was much criticism heard from among the senior ranks of Israel Police in response to the appointment of an outsider. Petitions challenging his appointment are also likely to be filed with the High Court of Justice following the blemish to Hirsch’s record in the Second Lebanon War.

Hirsch, 51, was raised in Arad. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mideast Studies from Bar Ilan University and a master’s degree in business administration from Tel Aviv University. He began his IDF career as a paratrooper and served in many prestigious command posts before resigning at the rank of brigadier-general. Many viewed Hirsch as a prime candidate to become a future IDF Chief of Staff prior to his decision to resign.

During the war Hirsch told the press he forces were in control of Bint Jbeil only to have eight soldiers fall in combat the very next day. The nation was split regarding the criticism leveled at Hirsch. Some felt he was being made the scapegoat for the failures of IDF Chief Dan Halutz and Defense Minister Amir Peretz, who both ultimately resigned as well. The two were viewed as colossal failures in their posts, with Peretz lacking a military past and Halutz the first-ever Chief of the IAF appointed as Chief of the General Staff. Based on his performance in the Second Lebanon War it was clear that Halutz’s experience in the air force exclusively left him ill prepared to lead the nation’s armed forces.

Supporters of Hirsch said the IDF chief and the defense minister placed the blame on his shoulders and he made the decision to resign in response.

In a brief statement to the press on Wednesday, 11 Elul, Erdan explained that in the past days and weeks he read many reports, including internal Israel Police reports which cited many alarming deficiencies in the force. This accompanied with the resignation of six deputy chiefs for alleged involvement in corruption and immoral activities led Erdan to select the department’s successor from outside the department. It is added that this appointment is not the first time a chief was appointment from outside the department.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reportedly wanted to promote a deputy to the chief’s slot, taking someone from inside the force, but Erdan reportedly persuaded the prime minister to back his decision to tap the decorated retired senior IDF officer for the position. Erdan is confident that Hirsch is the man to rebuild the image of Israel Police, telling Kol Chai Radio that he hopes more chareidim will opt to join the police as a career. He explained that while he does not support everything the chareidi community does, he finds the community unique in its character and abilities and feels chareidi inductees could contribute greatly to changing the department for the better.

President Reuven Rivlin praises Hirsch’s appointment

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)



2 Responses

  1. Litzman and Gafni should talk to this prospective police chief immediately and certainly before he assumes office. Really all of the UTJ representatives should want to discuss things with him. For example Eichler may want to get some idea of what the relationship between Gal Hirsch and the Belzer Hasidim is going to be like.

    If the interview with Gal Hirsch does NOT go well, they should give an ultimatum that he must be rejected. If an unacceptable person becomes police chief they should work towards new elections and be prepared for an extended deadlock in the creation of a new government. Civilian control of the police is a foundation of democracy. Under no circumstances should the idea of an independent police force be accepted.

    Here are some issues that should be raised:
    1. Beating up Haredim, use of tasers, and bearing visible weapons like rifles during demonstrations. The general use of force should be thoroughly researched and discussed.
    2. Does Hirsch believe that homosexuality is perfectly fine and that those that oppose it strongly are sick individuals?
    3. What is his view towards the non-enforcement of Shabbos laws and why should some laws be enforced and others not?
    4. He should expound on his ideas concerning political corruption especially as it pertains to Knesset members, rabbis, judges, and prosecutors.
    4. What does he plan to do about Arab violence on the Mount of Olives cemetery?
    5. How can cops on the street be controlled especially in places like Geula, Zichron Moshe, Makor Baruch, Bnei Brak, Modi’in Illit, etc.

    Again if the candidate is bad news, he must be opposed.

  2. this is the guy who told those 8 soldiers to put up a flag on top of a Hezbollah position (he wanted an Iwo Jima moment) in which all 8 were taken out by snipers. Truly a rasha with 8 Jews killed for nothing.

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