"This is the opportunity of his life," say those close to Hof District Commander Major General Yoram Sofer, who has gone from being a hidden officer to the most prominent candidate for the position of the next police commissioner. Sofer was chosen on Wednesday by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to serve as a project for fighting crime in Arab society. He will replace MK Yoav Segalovich (Yesh Atid), who served as project manager on behalf of the previous government. In the next three months, Sofer is expected to present a detailed plan to reduce crime in the sector.
The 102nd victim in the Arab sector: the scene of the shooting in Jaljulia
"I'm not measuring myself by reducing the number of murders in the short term, but by preparing a long-term plan, and if I'm elected commissioner I can implement it," he told associates after receiving the appointment. In closed conversations, Commissioner Sofer argues that there is something that can be done to reduce crime in the Arab sector. However, he is aware of the difficulties he faces. One of them is his troubled relationship with Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai.
Another difficulty lies in the fact that as a projector he has no authority to use force and depends on the will of others, including extras who see themselves as candidates together with him for the head of the police. "There is something to be done, not everything is rosy," Sofer said yesterday. "People say I'm crazy? As far as I'm concerned, the country is more important than the ranks I have on my shoulders."
"There is something to do, not everything is rosy", Yoram Sofer (archive), photo: Dudu Greenspan
In any case, the police agree that the person who commanded the evacuation of settlers in Amona and Ofra on its behalf as deputy commander of the Judea and Samaria District, who was deployed three times to evacuate Khan al Ahmar, and who took the route that should lead extras to the position of policeman number one, is considered the most natural candidate to succeed Commissioner Shabtai.
"I don't see myself as a servant of politicians, but I work for an organization that is supposed to implement policy, and as long as it doesn't cross the red lines, it must be implemented. If I have to do what I'm not ready for, they won't find me there."
Two weeks ago, Sofer found himself in the eye of the storm when asked about his future relationship with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. "You have to trust me to do my job everywhere indiscriminately. Why should the Minister of National Security be told no? You have to understand what the minister's direction is."
You have to understand his direction, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
As a result, there was a lot of anger, especially on the side that opposes the government. "This is flattery for the minister, he shames the uniform," he claimed on social media. In response to the criticism, Sofer said that "there will always be those who express objections."
Either way, Ben-Gvir is expected to decide on the identity of the next inspector general in the next three months. His associates claim that his preference in the first stage is to appoint a police commissioner from within the police, but he also does not rule out bringing in a commissioner from outside.
Minister Ben-Gvir confirms Israel Hayom revelation: Police Commissioner Shabtai will not continue in his position
A recent survey by the Israel Democracy Institute indicates that most of the respondents who voted for the opposition parties (73%) believe that the non-extension of Shabtai's term was politically motivated. In contrast, when it comes to voters for the coalition parties, the result is almost equality between those who think these are relevant considerations (34%) and those who think they are political considerations (32%).
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us