This is how senior police officials say • For a year and a half, the police and IPS are headed by temporary commanders. • The key question: Will the new minister give permanent appointments?

• From the inventory. Gonder Asher and Kenin (right), standing Moti Cohen (left)

  Photo: 

  Coco, Dudu Greenshpan

Police and prisons are waiting for the 17th Minister to enter the Ministry of Public Security, finally deciding on the permanent appointments of the Police Commissioner and IPS Commissioner. 

The key question: Will the new minister give effect to the temporary appointments that have been in office for a year and a half, or, alternatively, to reopen the race to command the organizations, including the possibility of external candidates - with all the associated consequences?

Cohen stands in briefing for the arrests // Photo Archive: Police spokesmen

It should be noted that the appointment mechanism for the commissioner's office perpetuates the tension in the relationship between the minister and the post, which is considered to be statutory with extensive powers. Article 8A of the police order states that the commissioner will be appointed by the government - at the recommendation of the minister. Not only this, but the Minister must bring his nomination to the Advisory Committee for the appointment of senior officials in the public service, and only after the nomination is approved by it is brought to the Cabinet approval. 

As I recall, since the retirement of Ronnie Alschich in December 2018, and following the failure to appoint the director of the Ministry of Internal Security (retired) Moshe Edri - in the position of Deputy Commissioner Moti Cohen. That same month, and the same year, IPS commissioner Ofra Klinger resigned, and since then Gondar Asher and Kenin have been acting as deputies. Police commissioners who did not win the commissions, for the post of Commissioner of Prisons.

Senior police officers: They can be appointed to permanent positions

It should be emphasized that during the term of the transitional government, the current minister tried to appoint a commissioner, and the measure was even approved by the court. However, the move failed because of disagreements that emerged between Arden and the chairman of the advisory committee, retired judge Eliezer Goldberg. Arden demanded three candidates for the committee, but Goldberg demanded only one candidate - a matter that Arden could thwart the appointment.

Now, with the establishment of a permanent government, the possibility of ending the existing saga with appointments opens. Senior police officials and outside officials say that assuming the appointments are required to take effect within three months, Cohen and Kanin can be appointed to permanent positions from the moment they are appointed as deputies, thus serving for a short period of three years.

The two, say senior officials, have proven their ability, and appointments may be widely agreed on both the public and political levels.

"This is a fair solution," says former Deputy Commissioner Moshe Karadi, "he gives those who filled the position and took responsibility without pay, a fair compensation of one and a half years, and the new minister can discuss new candidates in about a year."