Channels

Photo: Gil Yohanan
Major-General Yohanan Danino
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch
Photo: Mati Elmalich

Maj.-Gen. Yohanan Danino named next Israel Police chief

Southern District commander to replace Commissioner Dudi Cohen in a few months. Aharonovitch: Decision to precede recommendation intended to stabilize organization

Major-General Yohanan Danino will be the 17th police commissioner of the State of Israel, Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch told a press conference on Sunday.

 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Danino on his appointment to the role of police commissioner.

 

"I am sure that Danino will lead the police force forward and work to increase law enforcement, the war against violence and the reinforcement of the security of the citizens of Israel."

 

Aharonovitch said he had consulted with former police commissioners and defense ministers about the appointment. "I decided to precede the recommendation of the new police commissioner in order to stabilize the organization, after the shaky events a few weeks ago. The decision wasn't simple, because they're all deserving."

 

Aharonovitch invited the two leading candidates - Major-Generals Shahar Ayalon and Yohanan Danino, as well as Jerusalem District Commander Ilan Franco, to his office around 11 am on Sunday. They received the update before the senior commanding staff did.

 

Aharonovitch congratulated Danino saying: "The new police commissioner is a senior officer, with a rich operational and investigatory experience. He has the proven leading capabilities to guide Israeli police through the challenges they and the State of Israel face."

 

The Internal Security Minister mentioned the appointment must first get approval from the Committee on the appointment of senior officials headed by Jacob Turkel. He added that he told the prime minster about his decision prior to the public announcement.

 

'Wishing Him All the Best'

Aharonovitch went on to praise the current Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen: "He is one of the finest commissioners in the Israeli police who has operated during a complicated four years. I wish him many more years of contribution to the society and State. The current police commissioner will enjoy my full support and cooperation until his term comes to an end. I'm convinced the preparations for the new police commissioner will not harm the day to day work of the police and the senior staff."

 

Danino spoke about the news saying: "I'm on my way now to very important people –family comes first."

 

Ayalon, who was one of the top candidates for the position, left the minister's office shortly after the announcement saying: "It's an appropriate choice. I wish him all the best."

 

The current Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen also congratulated Danino: "He is a professional and an expert in every field in the police. On May 1 he will take my place. It's natural, as it should be and this is how an organized system should operate."

 

A couple of weeks ago Aharonovitch asked Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to look into any legal issues having to do with the appointment of Danino as the new police commissioner, after his name has been connected to the investigation regarding the killing of two police agents in 2006. Back then Danino was head of the Intelligence and Investigations Unit.

 

Weinstein announced on Thursday that there is no problem with the appointment, and police officials estimated the minster would prefer Danino to Ayalon. The issue angered State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss, who continues to look into Danino's affairs, and he objected to the hasty attempt to 'unblemish' the major-general.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.19.10, 13:07
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment