Mark Okrent – Israeli National Guard Proposal Threatens Democracy and Civilian Safety, Warns Former Police Chiefs”
The Israeli Cabinet’s recent decision to establish a National Guard proposed by Itamar Ben Gvir is not only unnecessary but also excessive. In a country where police forces for all jurisdictions are already in place, the idea of adding a police force is a recipe for confusion and chaos. The Israeli Police, The Israel Defence Forces, and The Palestinian Police already coordinate and oversee all police activities within Israel and the Occupied or Disputed Territories. The establishment of another police force would create conflicting authorities, causing utter turmoil in the Israeli Civilian Community.
Moreover, the foundation for Ben Gvir’s National Guard is the Tag Mahir gang, which he led ten years ago. This vigilante militia of criminal hoodlums terrorized both the Palestinian population and the Israel Defence Forces. The gang members were rarely caught or punished, and now Ben Gvir wants to make them legal, creating a veritable Jewish Gestapo.
In many countries where democracy is under threat, Autocratic leaders establish uber-policing units, intended to be more effective than existing police. These units operate on the fringes of the law and often overstep it, knowing that the extreme right or left-wing governments will look the other way when necessary. This has been the situation in Turkey, India, Poland, Hungary, and various other countries.
Israeli citizens have always been proud of their democratic rights, and they would be shocked if a national police force were to shred those rights apart. Many Israeli leaders, including all present and past Police Chiefs, have tenaciously opposed the creation of this hoodlum militia.
If the problem is insufficient protection of Israeli Jewish and Arab civilians, then additional resources, whether in funds or manpower, should be allocated to the existing organizations. The establishment of another police force is not a solution to the problem.
Itamar Ben Gvir, a convicted felon, and a racist Kahanist, is the last person who should be administering any form of justice within our land. Allowing him to establish a National Guard is a grave mistake that would have long-lasting negative consequences for Israeli democracy. The Israeli government should focus on enhancing the existing police forces, ensuring that they have the resources they need to protect all citizens, rather than establishing a vigilante militia.
