Police advisor resigns over PM ‘campaign’ against them
Police announce advisor Lior Horev, who has been butting heads with PM Netanyahu and his administration over the premier's criminal investigations, has stepped down from his post.
The police announced on Sunday that its political adviser, Lior Horev, who had frequently criticized the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration, decided to step down because of what he calls a "planned and unprecedented campaign to hamper the police from fulfilling its mission."
Horev's resignation came about a month after Netanyahu alleged that "ever since political adviser Lior Horev was appointed as an external adviser to the police, costing taxpayers millions and without a tender, the illegal leaks (about ongoing investigations against me—ed) have become a tsunami, and the decision to avoid recommendations (to indict me) has disappeared as if it never was."
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan expressed his position several times against Horev's involvement in the police because of alleged harm to the police's credibility caused by the leaks—which he, like Netanyahu, blames Horev for.
Following efforts by Erdan to bring about Horev's dismissal, the comptroller and his legal advisor examined Horev's tweets and Facebook posts and determined them to be a breach of contract. It was then made clear that this would affect his continued employment by the police.
In a letter sent by Horev to the police, he announced his desire to resign, accusing recent attempts by the government to restrict the freedom and power of the police.
"Against the Israel Police and its leader, a planned and unprecedented campaign is being conducted to hamper the police from fulfilling its mission."
"This campaign is shared by several elements, some of whom have a direct connection to the police work, which are operated by political interest in order to harm the organization while delegitimizing it in order to disrupt its work.
"Unfortunately, within this campaign, I was also used as a tool for slamming the police and its head," Horev added. "Our decision not to respond (to this attack) stemmed from our obligation to the organization.
"This is a well-planned, continuous and ongoing campaign. We knew how to identify it, to determine those behind it both openly and covertly. These are very complex days. The mosaic of interests, of overt and less overt motives, will be revealed soon enough."
Horev added in his letter that, "out of great appreciation to the organization, the senior officers of the police, all the people with whom I worked, the media, and above all the police commissioner, I have decided to remove my name from the list of consultants who provide consultation services to the police.
"My colleagues at Goldfinger Communications will continue to work professionally and diligently to continue to provide the police with the best possible service, as has been done so far."
Goldfinger Communications, in which Horev still serves as chairman and partner, will continue their NIS 2.4 million contract with the police.
"The reasons that led Lior Horev to remove his name from the list of advisors of Goldfinger Communications, which is employed by the Israel Police, were detailed in the letter he sent to the relevant police officers," the company said in a press release.
"The advice given by Goldfinger Communications is provided by many consultants and on a variety of topics, and will continue to be provided by Tal Goldfinger and the team of consultants who have been accompanying the Israel Police for the past two years."
The company refused to state whether Horev will still enjoy any dividends from its contract with the police.
"From the outset, Lior Horev should not have been employed by the Israel Police because of his political involvement and his blatant behavior toward politicians and elected officials, which in itself is unprecedented in a democratic regime," MK Dudi Amsalem said. "I am glad that the system eventually realized that it was mistaken and ended the contract with him."
