Alsheikh rejects Netanyahu's fiery speech on police
Responding to Netanyahu's criticism against the police this week amid numerous investigations against him, the commissioner insists police 'don't need to be part of this public discourse,' praises police for continuing 'business as usual.'
“We don't need to be a part of this discourse. This is how we do things, and this is how we will continue to do things,” Alsheikh said during a ceremony honoring the Israel Police. “I see business as usual in the police, and I do not see that this public discourse is sidetracking it from doing its job, and we will continue to do it.”
Alsheikh also added that the police welcomes “anyone who supports the police and the rule of law."
Alsheikh’s comments come two days after Netanyahu spoke at a Likud rally celebrating the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, where he scorned the corruption investigations against him as “a waste of time and money” and dismissed as insignificant the potential eventuality of any indictment recommendations made by the police.
“So there will be recommendations. So what?” Netanyahu said to the crowd of cheering supporters in Kfar Maccabiah.
Also speaking at the ceremony Thursday, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan indirectly touched on the confrontation between Netanyahu and the police.
“The police has become stronger over the last two years, in an unprecedented way. It has all been done for the sake of the citizens, for public order and for the rule of law, as it should be in a democratic country,” Erdan said.
“I will continue to do everything to strengthen the Israel Police and to support work that is so important for the citizens of Israel,” he promised. “The police has had great achievements ... Thank you for all that you are doing.”
On Wednesday, Erdan was more direct on where he stood on the matter when he told the Knesset plenum he was uneasy with Netanyahu’s slighting of the police on Tuesday, while simultaneously acknowledging that there was some merit to his fiery speech.
“I am not alright with all the statements or their style or the way that they can be interpreted,” Erdan told the plenum, while noting that “some of the things he said are justified, and he has to explain them in more detail to the public.”
A day before Netanyahu's speech, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon stood shoulder to shoulder with Alsheikh, telling him during a candle-lighting ceremony for the seventh night of Hanukkah at a Border Police base that he had his ministry’s full support.
“Continue how you are. We, in the Finance Ministry, support you, the police and the rule of law,” he said as he turned to address Alsheikh directly.
“Continue to do the important work you are doing … All the knowledge and experience that you all have, you demonstrate for the people of Israel,” Kahlon continued as he furnished praise on the police force.
