I will not give up post of police chief, Ganot says

One of the associates said that "people are focusing on a marginal incident in his past. He did not want the post in order to receive a higher salary or for the rank, but rather as a mission, in order to contribute to the State.

"He proved himself throughout his service in the police and the IPS, made great revolutions and reforms, and he can do the same in the police as well. All those attacking him should stop it and get off the ladder until the appointment procedure is completed."

According to another aide to Ganot, who spoke to him several times in the past 24 hours, "He does not plan to announce that he is giving up the post. He is still a candidate for the post of police commissioner."

Meanwhile Tuesday, Deputy Police Commissioner Benny Kaniak informed Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter that he would agree to replace Ganot as the next Israel Prison Service head.

Since Dichter offered him the position on Sunday, Kaniak pondered whether he should accept the offer or retire from the service. Dichter thanked Kaniak and said that this brought him one step closer to achieving his goal of improving security for Israeli citizens.

Dichter plans to have the Tirkel committee for senior appointments and then the government approve the appointment.

Immediately after Dichter's announcement that Ganot would be appointed police commissioner, embarrassing details from Ganot's past were published.

Ganot was acquitted in the past of serious offenses of receiving a bribe, benefits and breach of trust, but the Supreme Court harshly criticized him.

"When he received the benefits, Ganot did not act as a police officer in his rank and role must act." Retired Justice Yaakov Kedmi even recommended to convict him of breach of trust.

'It won't be easy defending appointment'

In a document recently submitted to Dichter, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz said that there was no legal obstacle in appointing Ganot police commissioner, but warned of difficulties.

A first High Court of Justice appeal was filed Monday, and additional appeals are expected.

Retired Justice Yaakov Tirkel, who heads the committee for senior appointments, told Ynet that the appointment would wait for the High Court ruling. "I believe that we should not convene before the High Court makes a decision on the matter."

The appointment was harshly criticized by senior officers. Former Police Commissioner Assaf Hefetz said that "the police are in crisis. We are losing one of the best commanders the police have in favor of foolish decisions made by a minister. The message conveyed to young people is 'guys, it doesn’t matter if you're good or not, the minister takes whomever he wants.'"

Senior officials at the State Prosecutor's Office said Monday night that they would find it difficult to defend Ganot appointment to the High Court.

"The current situation creates great difficulty," a source said. "It will not be easy defending the appointment of the designated police commissioner in light of the Zeiler Commission report, where less difficult things were written about (resigning Police Commissioner) Moshe Karadi.

"In light of the need to rehabilitate the system, it is unclear how we are supposed to defend a problematic appointment which may harm the system."