Security Minister Gilad Erdan announced Thursday that he has decided not to extend Israel Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh's term in office.
Alsheikh's three-year appointment at Israel's top cop is slated to end on Dec. 31.
Erdan, whose ministry oversees the police, informed Alsheikh of his decision in a tense two-hour meeting, at the end of which Erdan's office issued a statement thanking Alsheikh for his many years of service and achievements in national security.
The statement added that under Alsheikh, the Israel Police had undergone "important processes that improved its capabilities."
Shortly thereafter, Alsheikh put out his own statement, which made his dissatisfaction at not having his term extended clear.
The outgoing commissioner thanked Erdan for appointing him police commissioner and for the privilege of commanded the nation's 31,000-strong police force and 33,000 volunteers, who he said were responsible for the personal safety of the citizens of Israel.
Alsheikh wished success to his as-yet-unnamed successor and said he would be at their disposal to help in any way he could.
"The Israel Police are at the forefront of defending the image, profile, security, and integrity of the country. These missions are the compass that guides the Israel Police. They have been tested and withstood the tests, and I'm convinced that the police will continue to protect the country's independence, its social strength, and the quality of life of its citizens," he said.
Later Thursday, Erdan convened a press conference in which he explained the decision to appoint someone from outside the Israel Police to the position of commissioner. Erdan said he had named Alsheikh, who spent his entire career in the Shin Bet security agency, police chief in an attempt to change the culture in the police force.
Erdan said that Alsheikh's three years in office had been "challenging" and rich in achievements, and insisted he had "no regrets" about appointing Alsheikh.
He further said he had not updated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about his decision not to extend Alsheikh's term in office and objected to the outgoing commissioner's portrayal of the decision as retribution for the police's investigations of corruption cases in which Netanyahu is implicated.
Erdan said that extending any police commissioner's term in office past the three-year period was not a decision to take for granted; in fact, he called it an "unusual step."
According to Erdan, the opinion of the Justice Ministry is that a police commissioner's term should be extended only in the case of a state of emergency or other specific conditions that might demand it.
Erdan said that he had weighed the achievements made by the police force under Alsheikh against the subjects that had not been promoted as he had wished, and made his decision.
Associates of Erdan say that his main disappointment from Alsheikh's time in office stems from the fact that in the past three years, the government has invested roughly 1 billion shekels ($280 million) in reducing crime in the Arab sector, with few visible results.
The public security minister also said that he and Alsheikh had disagreed on a number of important issues, but declined to provide details. Nevertheless, Erdan has consistently supported Alsheikh, often drawing criticism for doing so.
In the coming days, Erdan is expected to submit a short list of three candidates for the role to the advisory committee for appointing senior public officials. This list includes Jerusalem District Police Commander Maj. Gen. Yoram Halevy, Tel Aviv District Police Commander Maj. Gen. David Bitan, and Public Security Ministry Director General Maj. Gen (ret.) Moshe Edri.
Halevy is widely considered a bright, professional and uncompromising officer. He commanded the police counterterrorism unit, as well as the Border Police's counterterrorism unit, and headed the Lahav 433 Major Crimes Unit. In 2012 he took the helm of the Southern Police District and in February 2016, he was appointed Jerusalem District Police chief.
Bitan has a reputation for being affable and easy to work with. In February 2016 he assumed command of Southern District, which he held until January 2018. Bitan, however, was accused of obstructing an investigation of a fellow officer accused of inappropriate relations with a female officer.
Edri, meanwhile, is viewed as a close confidant of Erdan, with whom he shares an excellent working relationship. During his military service, he served in the Golani Brigade's elite reconnaissance unit under current IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot. In November 2014, Edri was tapped to command the Jerusalem District. During his tenure, he successfully confronted a prolonged wave of Palestinian terrorism but was cited for the police's failure to prevent the murder of 16-year-old Shira Banki at a Gay Pride Parade in the city in 2015. He retired from the police force in February.
