Head of Israeli police intelligence division to resign: Israeli media
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Israeli media highlight that at least six senior Israeli police officers have resigned since the beginning of the year.
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Israeli police detain an ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth protesting against military recruitment in Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. (AP)
The head of the Israeli police intelligence division, Dror Assaraf, announced on Wednesday his intention to resign, marking the latest departure among senior Israeli security and military officials, Israeli media reported.
Assaraf, who has served for 35 years, will step down, reported the Israeli channel KAN. His resignation follows that of Shuki Tahauko, the police commander of the North District, who resigned from his position a day earlier after two years in office.
KAN highlighted that at least six senior Israeli police officers have resigned since the beginning of the year.
Assaraf's departure makes him the third high-ranking police officer to resign since Danny Levy, who is supported by Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, was appointed as police chief last July.
The Jerusalem Post pointed out that Ben-Gvir—who oversees both the prison system and the police—has been obstructing the promotion of several officers, including Assaraf.
Earlier this year, Israeli media reported concern from the Israeli Supreme Court regarding a law passed in December 2022, which granted Ben-Gvir expanded authority over the police system.
The Israeli newspaper Maariv noted on Wednesday that the appointment of each new police commissioner has been accompanied by a series of resignations.
The report suggested that some officers, fearing they will not be promoted, choose to resign, while others are informed that they should retire.
A wave of resignations
Assaraf's departure comes as part of a recent wave of resignations within the Israeli security and military establishment.
Major General Tamir Yadai, the commander of the Israeli military's ground forces, resigned for "personal reasons", the Israeli news website Walla reported on Tuesday.
Additionally, Walla mentioned that Yossi Sariel, the chief of the Israeli military's Unit 8200 and architect of their military's Artificial Intelligence (AI), Brigadier General Yossi Sariel, is expected to resign, weeks after the unit was targeted by Hezbollah in late August.
In the same context, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the intelligence chief of the Israeli military's Gaza Division is also planning to step down from his position.
In April, Aharon Haliva, head of the military intelligence directorate, resigned following his failure to prevent Operation al-Aqsa Flood on October 7. Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar has similarly indicated his intention to resign for the same reason once the war ends.
On Wednesday, Yedioth mentioned that Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has also taken responsibility for the October 7 events, suggesting that he is expected to resign in the coming months.
