Despite an audible opposition which includes former Israel Police chiefs, most Israelis are pleased with the appointment of retired IDF Brigadier-General Gal Hirsch as the next Chief of Israel Police. While some of the opposition comes from parents who sons fell in the Second Lebanon War, most of the opposition is coming from former police chiefs and high-ranking officers of the Israel Police, who feel the appointment should be from someone who has worked his way up the ranks of Israel Police and not an outsider.
Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan, who selected Hirsch, met on Friday morning 13 Elul with the parents of four soldiers who fell in the line of duty in the Second Lebanon War. The minister listened to their grievances, their opposition to the appointment. The minister told the parents he will give the points they raised careful consideration.
Despite the opposition, a Panels Politics poll shows 54% of Israelis approve of the appointment of Hirsch while on 22% are opposed. Despite his resignation following the Second Lebanon War, most believe Hirsch was made to be the scapegoat, aware of his impressive record and accomplishments during his years of military service.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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The appointment of a new police chief in this case Gal Hirsch needs to be thoroughly vetted especially with public hearings. We know next to nothing about him and he is being given great power. Here are some examples.
1. If somebody dies in jail or is shot by the police, the cops will be believed if they claim it is a suicide or the policeman’s life was in danger. In effect he is being given the power of summary execution.
2. If the cops claim somebody presents are current danger to the public they can jail them. In effect he is being given the power of arbitrary imprisonment.
3. If the cops claim a politician is corrupt the courts will rubber stamp that claim. In effect he is being given arbitrary political power including the right to jail those that disagree with him.
4. Based on cop claims people will be fined. The judge will cover up for police nonfeasance and malfeasance. In effect he is being given the right to arbitrarily seize property. In some cases the seizing policeman or the police force can actually keep that property that was taken from innocent people or at least make it difficult, time consuming and expensive to recover it.
To treat this position like a second level government appointment is absurd and dangerous.