Elazar Kahana to Retire as Police Legal Adviser

Elazar Kahana, the police's top legal adviser, is set to retire. This announcement comes one year after the police chief sought his dismissal.

The controversy began when Kahana criticized a bid by National Security Minister Ben Gvir to promote a police officer under investigation for assault. The police chief stopped short of dismissing Kahana after the Attorney General froze the move.

The tension between the police legal counsel and the National Security Ministry began over a specific personnel decision. Minister Ben Gvir sought to promote a specific police officer. However, this officer was currently under an active investigation regarding assault allegations.

Elazar Kahana publicly criticized this attempt to promote an officer under probe. His criticism highlighted the potential risks of advancing personnel facing serious disciplinary or criminal scrutiny. This stance placed the legal adviser in direct opposition to the Minister's wishes.

Following Kahana's criticism of the promotion, the police chief moved to dismiss the legal adviser. This action suggested a significant breakdown in the working relationship between the police leadership and its legal department.

The attempt to remove Kahana was not finalized. The Attorney General intervened in the matter, freezing the dismissal move. As a result, the police chief stopped short of formally removing Kahana from his position at that time.

Approximately one year after the dismissal attempt was halted, Elazar Kahana has announced his retirement. His departure marks the end of a period of high tension regarding police oversight and appointments.

The retirement follows the resolution—albeit temporary—of the conflict regarding the officer's promotion. While the Attorney General prevented the immediate firing of the legal adviser, Kahana will now leave the post voluntarily.