Conflicts within the Government: Minister of National Security Demands Approval for Meetings with Minister of Finance’s Team
Just last year, religious Zionism led by Bezalel Smotrich and Otzma Yehudit led by Itamar Ben Gabir ran together in the elections – but the Minister of National Security sent a letter at the beginning of the week (Sunday) demanding that police officials confirm any meeting with the Minister of Finance’s people. This information was published in the “Weekend News” on Saturday night.
Minister Ben Gvir wrote the letter after learning about the participation of police officers in a meeting with a team formed by Minister Smotrich, intended to fight the transfer of state funds to the crime organizations in Arab society. “These days it was brought to the attention of the Minister of National Security that police officers are holding working meetings with representatives of the Accountant General, the Director General of the Ministry of Finance and various government officials,” wrote Ben Gvir.
“As much as things have not been clear so far, we will clarify and emphasize that any meeting of police representatives with government ministry officials and Knesset members requires coordination and prior approval by the minister, through the minister’s office, the director general’s office, or the security secretariat,” he emphasized.
Officials involved in enforcement have harshly criticized Ben Gabir and emphasized that this stems from Minister Ben Gabir’s jealousy that effective work is being done on governance in Arab society.
In response, Minister Gabir said, “I like Minister Smotritz very much, but it was a procedure between all government ministries that the professional level receives approval from his minister before meeting politicians. So far, no such meeting has been avoided.”
The office of the Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich commented on the publication, stating, “The fight led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich with the backing of the Israeli government against the criminal organizations in Arab society is essential for the return of governance and personal security to the entire State of Israel. We hope and believe that all parties will cooperate in this important effort.”