JNS
Some of the charges pertain to the alleged passing of files to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who oversees both the prisons and police.
Israel Prison Service (IPS) Chief Commissioner Kobi Yaakobi was detained Monday, along with two senior police officers, as part of a probe into alleged corruption, the Department of Internal Police Investigations said.
While most details of the case are under a court-imposed gag order, local media reported that at least some of the accusations pertain to the alleged passing of confidential files to Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose office oversees both the prisons and the police.
Yaakobi, who has led the IPS since being appointed interim chief by Ben-Gvir in January, was taken into custody by undercover agents while on his way to work, leading one of his bodyguards to draw his weapon out of fear of an attack. The IPS chief has been under 24/7 protection due to death threats from criminal groups and terrorists.
One of the Israel Police officers arrested as part of the probe was named on Tuesday as Judea and Samaria District Cmdr. Avishay Mualem. The second officer detained on Monday, who was said to hold the rank of superintendent, remained unnamed as of Tuesday afternoon.
Yaakobi was released on Monday night following more than 12 hours of questioning. As part of the terms of his release, Yaakobi was reportedly banned from contacting the other suspects, among other restrictions.
Following Yaakobi's arrest, Ben-Gvir denounced what he described as a "political decision" by Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
"This is a coup d'etat," the Otzma Yehudit Party leader stated at a press conference, slamming the arrests as "an attempt to bring me down, me, the government and the prime minister [Benjamin Netanyahu]."
Ben-Gvir again called on Netanyahu and Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin to convene an investigative panel to advance the dismissal of Baharav-Miara, who has repeatedly clashed with the government.
In Israel, the attorney general does not work for the prime minister, as opposed to in the United States, where the A.G. is part of the executive branch.
Over the summer, Baharav-Miara reportedly requested permission to probe Ben-Gvir over allegations of “incitement” against Palestinians.
Last month, local media reported that Baharav-Miara was expected to demand that Netanyahu fire Ben-Gvir over accusations of power abuse.
Baharav-Miara and other officials in the Attorney General's Office claim that Ben-Gvir is breaking Israeli law and exceeding his powers as police minister by meddling in law enforcement and delivering direct orders to officers, which would also violate court injunctions banning him from doing so, in particular when it comes to anti-government protests.
The premier reportedly told ministers that he would not dismiss Ben-Gvir, saying that the demand paves the way for a "constitutional crisis."
Netanyahu tasked Levin in early November with finding a solution to what he said was the opposition of Baharav-Miara to his government.
Last month, four Israel Defense Forces servicemembers and a former military spokesman for Netanyahu were detained as part of a separate police investigation into the alleged leaking by the Prime Minister's Office of files concerning the 101 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Eli Feldstein, a former spokesman for military affairs in the PMO, is suspected of leaking documents obtained by the IDF that indicate the terrorist organization is not interested in a ceasefire deal and is only using truce talks to increase domestic pressure on the government.
Netanyahu in a statement on Nov. 12 accused Israeli law enforcement of detaining employees of his office "in basements" without access to lawyers, in an attempt to extract false statements against him.
