After a heated dispute between the Likud and Blue and White over the issue of the permanent appointment of Chief of Staff Kobi Shabtai to the post of police commissioner, Gantz informed Netanyahu that he would support the move.
Gantz supports the permanent appointment of Kobi Shabtai as commissioner
Photography:
Gil Eliyahu - Ginny
Following the dispute between the Likud and Blue and White over the appointment of Kobi Shabtai as police commissioner, this evening (Thursday) Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bnei Gantz announced that he would support the appointment of Kobi Shabtai as permanent commissioner.
Ganz tweeted on his Twitter account: "In the face of dozens of critical professional appointments to the State of Israel, including the State Attorney, who are stuck only because of Netanyahu's small politics - I choose to put Israel first. To the Prime Minister, I will support the immediate appointment of Chief of Staff Kobi Shabtai to the post of Commissioner.
As mentioned, due to the controversy over the permanent appointment, the government approved Shabtai's appointment to the position of deputy commissioner about a week ago. Senior officials then attacked Kobi Shabtai's non-appointment as permanent commissioner, and told "Israel Today" that a commissioner must be appointed Immediately: "The organization is in a difficult situation, and further negotiations for an unknown period of time is a fatal blow to the police and the rule of law.
In blue and white, we must put politics aside and work for the good of the country. "
In the face of dozens of professional appointments critical of the State of Israel, including the State Attorney, who are stuck only because of Netanyahu's small politics - I choose to put Israel first.
On the eve of the third closure, it is clear that the State of Israel must have a permanent commissioner.
I announced tonight to the Prime Minister that I will support the immediate appointment of Chief of Staff Kobi Shabtai to the position of Commissioner.
Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) January 7, 2021
Homeland Security Minister Amir Ohana said in light of the controversy surrounding the appointment: "Unfortunately, this is a parity government where a blue and white bloc has to approve issues on the government's agenda, and such approval is not given by them," Ohana said.
"Therefore, I have to present you with an alternative proposal by consent, appointing the two as deputy heads of organizations, in the belief and hope that in the near future blue and white consent will be given to complete permanent appointments to the two security bodies, which have been begging for more than two years."
About a week ago, in blue and white, Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that he was "stabbing the country and not ready to convene a cabinet meeting to approve 60 appointments, including 30 ambassadors and other various positions."
Shabtai, currently a Border Police commander, is 56 years old, married and the father of three daughters.
He served as the commander of a police unit in the Gaza Strip, was wounded by gunfire during a rescue operation and received the Masterpiece Medal.
As the Northern Border Police's AGM officer, he conducted a pursuit of a terrorist cell and received the Medal of Courage in 2014.
He served as commander of the Iron Station and later commanded two areas, and since February 2016 he has served as commander of the border. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in education.
