Israeli police intelligence chief steps down amid wave of high-profile resignations across the country’s military and security establishment

09/09/2024 / By Richard Brown

The chief of Israel’s police intelligence division announced his resignation from the unit on Sept. 4.

Israel Police Deputy Chief Dror Assaraf’s decision follows a recent spate of resignations across the country’s military and security establishment, as the country faces conflict on multiple fronts.

Assaraf informed newly appointed Police Commissioner Daniel Levi of his intent to step down on the same day right before the news was announced to the public.

The resignation is seen in the context of extremist Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir’s – who is in charge of the prison system and police – controversial role in blocking the promotion of several senior officers, Assaraf among them. (Related: Israel goes ballistic over six captives shot dead while justifying its own mass slaughter of 40,000-plus civilians in Gaza.)

Earlier this year, concerns were raised by Israel’s High Court over a law passed in December 2022, which expanded Ben-Gvir’s control over the police system. Hebrew-language news outlet Maariv noted that Ben-Gvir’s use of these expanded powers involved the appointment of a new police commissioner, which triggered a wave of resignations due to officers either opting to leave after realizing their chances of promotion had been impeded or they were asked to retire.

Many other major Israeli military and security officials leaving their posts

Assaraf’s departure marks the fourth high-profile resignation within Israel’s security forces in recent days.

The day before Assaraf announced his departure, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Commander of Ground Forces Command Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai announced his resignation, citing “personal reasons,” after just three years in the role. He is reportedly planning to pursue other significant positions within the army.

Brig. Gen. Yossi Sariel, commander of the IDF Intelligence Corps’ elite Unit 8200, is expected to announce his resignation soon. Unit 8200 recently came under scrutiny after its headquarters was targeted by Hezbollah in a retaliatory strike in late August.

Other recent major resignations include:

Brig. Gen. Amit Saar, head of the Research Department of the IDF’s Directorate of Military Intelligence. His resignation is reportedly unrelated to his unit’s failure to predict the Oct. 7 attack and is instead related to an illness Saar is dealing with.
Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, former director of the Military Intelligence Directorate. Unlike, Saar, Haliva’s resignation is connected to his apparent inability to foresee Hamas’ large-scale raid on southern Israel on Oct. 7.
Brig. Gen. Avi Rosenfeld, commander of the Israeli Ground Forces’ Gaza Division. Rosenfeld is being held responsible for the IDF’s failure to protect Israeli military bases and settlements on Oct. 7.
“Aleph,” the designation for the head of Shin Bet’s – Israel’s internal security service – Southern District. Aleph stated that he was leaving as he took responsibility for his unit’s failure to avert Oct. 7.
Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar has indicated his desire to resign after the current conflict with Hamas.
Lt. Col. “A.,” the designation for the intelligence officer of the IDF’s Gaza Division. His resignation is similarly driven by the intelligence breakdown leading up to Oct. 7.

These high-level departures are occurring at a critical time, as Israel grapples with the possibility of a multi-front conflict in Gaza with Hamas, in northern Israel with Hezbollah, and in the occupied West Bank as the Israeli military escalates operations against multiple Palestinian militant groups in the region, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades.

Watch this news clip from the BBC of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begging his country’s forgiveness over the recent deaths of six Israeli hostages.

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