The police claim: the helicopters are not for the commissioner's use; Ben Gvir: "The truth will come out" | Israel Hayom

On whose side is the truth?:

Today (Thursday), the Ministry of Internal Security and the police accused the designated Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gabir of spreading false information intended to directly harm the Police Commissioner Chief Superintendent Kobi Shabtai.

Officials in these two ministries referred to Ben Gabir's claims, as published in "Israel Hayom" that "Commissioner Shabtai ordered four helicopters for his personal use".

Ben Gvir repeated this claim this morning in the discussion of the Knesset committee dealing with the proposed amendment to the police order.

"Saturn required four Blackhawk helicopters, it's a waste. The money should be invested in personnel, police salaries and police stations."

But then the Director General of the Ministry of Internal Security Tomer Lotan was called out of his chair and shouted at Ben Gvir that the helicopters are for the benefit of the fire and rescue system, which is under the direct command of the Ministry of Internal Security.

"The helicopters are for firefighting and rescue, the purpose of which is to prepare the State of Israel for firefighting capabilities in the coming decade. The person who brought this up presented incorrect information."

Ben Gabir attacks the CEO: "The truth will be revealed, I hope you don't have a shredder there."

"Not related to the police"

A senior police officer commented on the matter and told "Israel Today" that "these are helicopters intended for the fire and rescue system. The police have nothing to do with the matter. The police have an arranged agreement with the IDF to provide reinforcements if necessary.

It is very disturbing that a designated minister expresses himself like that without pausing for a moment and checking.

A senior official at the BTP Ministry told Israel Hayom: "Discussions were held for the purchase of helicopters for the firefighting system.

Two discussions were held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Lapid on this issue, and we led staff work on the matter with Hamel for a year.

None of this has anything to do with the police."

Former Commissioner Moshe Karadi, who is the head of the forum of retired Commissioners and Superintendents, also appeared at the morning's discussion.

According to him, since the publication of his expected appointment to the Minister of National Security, Ben Gvir has been receiving advice from officers who are not familiar with the Commissioner's work.

Neighboring countries will also be helped

Immediately after the Carmel disaster in 2010, it was decided to establish the firefighting squadron named after the late Elad Rivan. In 2016, the State of Israel recorded a wave of fires that displaced 700,000 people from their homes. -2018 under Erdan it was decided to purchase four Black Hawk helicopters for the Israel Police's airborne firefighting system.

Bennett and Lapid also confirmed.

Everything has been approved by TP, MLA and KBA. The helicopters will be used for extinguishing. The helicopters will also assist neighboring countries in extinguishing fires as part of a national and international effort following agreements that Israel has entered into with countries in the region.

were we wrong

We will fix it!

If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us