Confusion, controversy surround appointment of new police chief for Israel

The story behind the appointment of reserve Brig. Gen. Gal Hirsch to the position of Israel’s next chief of police (inspector general) is greater than the sum of its parts. This decision involves more than professional, police-related considerations (the police force has been immersed in crisis for a long period, as detailed in a February Al-Monitor article) or political considerations (Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invested much effort in trying to influence the naming of the police-chief candidate). This story is also affected by security considerations, with deep roots that go back to the Second Lebanon War that erupted nine years and one month ago in July 2006. With the backdrop of the war by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) against Hezbollah in Lebanon hovering over this affair, it is no wonder that Israeli journalists made jokes Aug. 25 on Twitter, encouraging one another to “get [Hezbollah Secretary-General] Hassan Nasrallah’s take” on this strange and unexpected appointment. No doubt that even in the Hezbollah leader’s bunker, in Beirut's Dahiyeh district, people are keeping close watch on news of Hirsch’s appointment to the position of the State of Israel’s No. 1 policeman. They probably don’t understand the logic of this appointment. In Israel, as well, most of the pundits have difficulties understanding this decision.

Hirsch, a daring officer of paratroopers and other special units, served as Galilee Division commander during the Second Lebanon War. This is a regular division tasked with protecting the so-called blue line separating Israel from Lebanon, and the IDF from Hezbollah. Until July 12, 2006, Hirsch had enjoyed an almost perfect career.