Ministry of National Security (Israel)

History

The Minister of National Security (, Sar LeVitahon Leumi) is the political head of the ministry.

Until 1995 the position was known as Minister of Police (, Sar HaMishtara). The first Minister of Police, Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit, a former policeman, held this position from May 1948 until a month before his death in January 1967. He served in fourteen governments, making him the country's longest continually serving minister.

The post was abolished after Menachem Begin became Prime Minister in 1977, but was reinstated in 1984 when Shimon Peres was elected.

In December 2022, the position was renamed again, changing from Minister of Public Security (, Sar LeVitahon Pnim) to Minister of National Security. This move has been criticized as an unnecessary expense for taxpayers.

In February 2024, Ben-Gvir's appointment as minister was challenged but Israel's High Court of Justice turned down the petition to nullify this appointment.

Deputy ministers

Agencies

• Israel Police
  • Border Guard
  • Civil Guard
• Firearm Licensing Department
• Israel Anti-Drug & Alcohol Authority (now the National Authority for Community Safety)
• Israel Witness Protection Authority
• Urban enforcement system
• National Headquarters for the Protection of Children on the Internet
• National Guard of Israel
• Israel Fire and Rescue Services (transferred from Ministry of Interior in 2011)
• Israel Prison Service
• Police & Prison Service Personnel Ombudsman

Unit for Public Inquiries and Complaints

The Unit for Public Inquiries and Complaints operates under the aegis of the Internal Audit Division of the Ministry of Internal Security. It handles complaints from citizens against the Israel Police, Prison Service, National Fire and Rescue Authority, Authority for the War on Drugs and Alcohol and Division for Licensing and Inspection of Firearms. In accordance with the Internal Audit Law, the main duties of the division are to ensure that audited entities abide by the law and carry out their duties in an efficient, financially sound, corruption-free manner.

References

References

1. (22 May 2023). "Itamar Ben-Gvir's ministry name change cost Israelis up to NIS 3 million".
2. "Israel's Top Court Rejects Petition to Nullify Ben-Gvir's Appointment as Minister". Haaretz.
3. "After year of deadlock and days of delays, Knesset swears in new Israeli government". Haaretz.
4. (21 January 2025). "Ben Gvir said seeking to retain influence over law enforcement, despite resigning". The Times of Israel.
5. (23 January 2025). "Haim Katz tapped to take over all 3 of Otzma Yehudit's ministerial portfolios". The Times of Israel.
6. (20 March 2025). "Ben Gvir reappointed police minister as Knesset okays his party's return to government". The Times of Israel.