A number of MKs from Israel's opposition parties attacked the government's intention today to approve the formation of a National Guard under the direct control of National Security Minister MK Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Former IDF Chief of Staff and current National Unity MK Gadi Eisenkot said that while the idea of a National Guard was correct, the formation of an operational body directly subordinate to the national security minister was a "severe event that destabilizes the principles of using force in the country and endangers the country."
"No less important, the fact that the commissioner turns to the government and is met with a refusal" Eisenkot added, referring to a report that Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai being denied a request to express to the government his opposition to the move."
"This is another link in the lack of judgement and responsibility required of the prime minister and government members. I call not to approve this irresponsible decision that is coming up today," Eisenkot added.
The Movement for Quality Government in Israel sent a letter to the government ministers calling on them not to support the decision, and instead "examine alternatives."
"Minister Ben Gvir is determined to have a political police force that will serve his private interests, and holds the entire country hostage for this purpose, Adv. Tomer Naor, head of the legal department at the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, said in a statement accompanying the letter.
"We are confident that the government ministers will not accept a decision to which there is attached a concern, however minimal and remote, of harming the security of the citizens of the State of Israel, before considering it seriously and after weighing all the relevant considerations and hearing the views of the professionals," Naor wrote.
Proposal of the National Guard is not on meeting agenda
The proposal to form the National Guard did not appear on a list of Sunday's government meeting agenda, but it did appear on a list of decisions on the government's website.