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In a dramatic turn of events, investigators from the Department for Internal Police Investigations (DIPI) detained one of Israel’s most senior police officers for questioning on suspicion of breach of trust and abuse of authority, the Justice Ministry confirmed late Wednesday.
The officer, who holds the rank of deputy commissioner, is accused of intervening in a sensitive investigation handled by Lahav 433, the police’s elite major crimes unit. According to reports, the intervention was allegedly aimed at assisting a businessman personally close to him.
Hebrew media outlets reported Thursday morning that the case the officer allegedly tried to influence has not yet been made public and is still in its early stages. “This is a case that is not yet known to the public,” sources told Ynet, underscoring the secrecy surrounding the affair.
Suspicions of Interference and Conflict of Interest
According to a DIPI statement, the deputy commissioner is suspected of failing to report a conflict of interest and of taking several actions to influence the direction of the case. These alleged actions, DIPI said, compromised the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
After more than seven hours of interrogation on Wednesday, Hebrew media reported that the officer was released under restrictive conditions. He has been barred from entering police facilities for nine days and prohibited from contacting any individuals connected to the case.
The Jerusalem District Court has issued a gag order on the case, forbidding publication of the officer’s name and key details to protect the investigation’s integrity.
Shock Among Police Ranks
The revelations have sent shockwaves through Israel’s law enforcement community. The detained officer is widely regarded as one of the most capable and respected figures in the force.
“We’re talking about one of the sharpest and most respected deputy commissioners in the organization,” one senior officer told Maariv. “He holds one of the most senior investigative roles, so he understands the sensitivity of ongoing cases.
Frankly, the suspicions don’t make sense to us. If the details are true, this is more than an earthquake. Until proven otherwise, we still believe in his integrity.” Police Commissioner Danny Levy reportedly convened an urgent meeting with his command staff following the detention.
According to Ynet, Levy is expected to appoint Assistant Commissioner Eli Macmel, head of Lahav 433’s National Fraud Investigation Unit, as a temporary replacement should the deputy commissioner be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Political Reactions and Growing Friction
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, whose ministry oversees the police, publicly defended the detained officer, telling Hebrew media on Thursday that he believes in the officer’s innocence. Ben Gvir also reportedly opposed Commissioner Levy’s plan to appoint Macmel as a temporary replacement.
Ben Gvir’s remarks have stirred controversy given his long-standing clashes with the Israel Police leadership. He is currently embroiled in a court case in which he stands accused of obstructing the promotion of a policewoman involved in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial.
The tension between the minister and senior law enforcement officials underscores the widening rift between political authorities and the police establishment — a divide that has deepened in recent months over allegations of political interference in policing decisions.
Confidentiality and Tightened Controls
As part of efforts to prevent leaks, DIPI and Israel Police have formed a joint special investigative team. All senior officers involved — including Commissioner Levy and members of the suspect’s close circle — have reportedly signed confidentiality agreements.
The Justice Ministry emphasized that maintaining confidentiality is essential, given the high-level nature of the officer’s position and the potential implications for multiple ongoing investigations.
“This case strikes at the heart of public trust,” a Justice Ministry official was quoted as saying. “We must ensure that no one, regardless of rank, is above the law.”
Broader Legal Turmoil
The detention comes amid a broader wave of turmoil within Israel’s legal and law enforcement institutions. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court held a tense hearing over who should oversee the probe into Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi’s alleged role in the Sde Teiman leak affair.
The case, which involves allegations of a military cover-up and leaks to the media, has deepened tensions between Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. Both sides have refused to compromise on who should be appointed to supervise the inquiry.
During the hearing, Supreme Court justices reportedly “implored” the rival factions to find common ground, warning that continued infighting threatens to erode public confidence in Israel’s justice system.
The ongoing dispute reflects a growing polarization within the state’s legal hierarchy — a conflict that mirrors broader political divisions across Israeli society.
A Test for Institutional Integrity
Legal analysts say the deputy commissioner’s detention — combined with the ongoing judicial disputes — highlights a crisis of confidence in Israel’s enforcement institutions.
“This is more than a single corruption allegation,” said a former senior prosecutor speaking to Haaretz. “It reflects an erosion of boundaries between political power, policing, and justice. The timing couldn’t be worse, given how fragile public faith already is.”
The Justice Ministry has not announced whether disciplinary proceedings will accompany the criminal investigation. However, internal sources said that DIPI is treating the case with “the utmost seriousness” due to its potential to undermine trust within the upper echelons of the police.
For now, the officer remains under restrictions while the investigation continues, and speculation is mounting about whether more high-ranking officials could be drawn into the widening probe.
As the case unfolds under judicial secrecy, many within Israel’s security establishment are bracing for further revelations — and for what could become one of the most consequential internal police scandals in recent years.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
