Due to the mounting pressure and smear campaign against him, retired IDF Brigadier-General Gal Hirsch has informed Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that he is withdrawing his candidacy to become Israel’s next police commissioner.

Hirsch’s appointment, which was made by Minister Gilad Erdan, has been challenged because he came under harsh criticism for his performance during the Second Lebanon War, which led to his decision to resign from the military.

Supporters of Hirsch, and there are many, explain it is unacceptable that a probe into any candidate can continue with limitations and the appointment can drag on endlessly. Many blame Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, who is counted among the vocal opponents to the appointment.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on motzei Yom Kippur released the following statement to the media following Hirsch informing him of his decision.

“Approximately one month ago, reserve Brig.-Gen. Gal Hirsch was chosen by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan as his candidate for the post of Israel Police Commissioner.

I expressed my satisfaction with the appointment and my great appreciation for the candidate, a man of considerable merit and action for the security of the state.

Gal Hirsch is the right man for the post of Police Commissioner; I thought so then and I think so now.

But our appointments process is long, arduous and damaging, and undoubtedly deserves reexamination.

For a month already Gal Hirsch’s good name has been trampled anew by critics. And for what? For agreeing to leave successful work and to report for a challenging and important national mission for all citizens of the state.

He agreed without hesitation and look what happened:

Slander and denigration. It is not proper to act this way toward someone who has sacrificed his best years, energy and talent on behalf of the State of Israel.

The long time and the fact that it has not been possible to obtain a specific timeframe for what we call ‘the examination process’ led to the Public Security Minister’s turning to reserve Brig.-Gen. Gal Hirsch, who was ready and willing to carry out the mission, despite the major damage that was caused to him and his family, and to inform him that due to this he was compelled to ask that his name be withdrawn.

I have no doubt that we will yet hear much from Gal Hirsch. I would like the Israeli people to yet benefit from his talents, experience and abilities.”

Hirsh told the press he was looking forward to serving the county once again, this time as the head of Israel Police, but now, due to his decision, he will seek other ways to contribute to Israeli society. Hirsch added that checking into the suitability of a candidate is the norm but the campaign against him which includes dragging his name and that of his family in the mud is unacceptable.

Many question why Netanyahu continues to permit Weinstein to serve as attorney general, as he more often than not disagrees with cabinet decisions. Backers of Hirsch told the media this is not the first appointment approved by the prime minister which Weinstein insisted must be approved following a probe. Clearly Mr. Weinstein is using his high-level post to advance his own left-wing agenda and the prime minister permits this.

Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan will now have to select another candidate to head the Israel Police.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)