Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday promised to fight underage drinking, which he called "a plague that is endangering our children and causing disasters, traffic accidents, and crime".
On a tour of Israel Police headquarters, Netanyahu also praised the work of officers and said police had made significant progress against crime families in the country.
Netanyahu speaks at welcoming ceremony (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
He was welcomed with a ceremony conducted by Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen.
Netanyahu said he wanted to increase the presence of officers in order to give the public a sense of security. "There is nothing like officers on the ground to eliminate criminal behavior," he said. "I know we need resources, and we will do this according to economic development."
The prime minister also saw an exhibit of technology and intelligence, and toured criminal labs. "There are huge developments in Israel Police, swift deciphering of serious crimes and incredible abilities justifiably held secret from the public eye," he said.
The commissioner thanked Netanyahu for his visit, and said Israel Police had undergone a "revolution" over the past three years.
Aharonovitch, on his part, stressed the need for resources if the police were to take on underage drinking. "This is a good, smart, and professional police department, but it lacks funds. Eighty-five percent of the budget cuts have been returned to us, and this is an important achievement," he said.
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