Israel’s Civil Service Commission has called on the Ministry of National Security’s in-house comptroller to examine the conduct of an aide to Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Hanamel Dorfman has been presenting himself as Mr Ben-Gvir’s Chief of Staff, although that appointment has not been finalised with the Commission.
The Commission said Mr Dorfman (pictured) had no authority to issue orders to Public Servants at the Ministry because his status was only that of a personal appointee of the Minister.
Mr Dorfman is a former extreme right-wing activist whose activities have caught the attention of the police and the Shin Bet security service in the past. He is now considered the most influential staffer at the Ministry and Mr Ben-Gvir’s right-hand man.
The Commission’s action follows reports in the media that Mr Dorfman had issued orders to Chief of Police, Kobi Shabtai and had intervened in the work of other senior police officials.
In March, the Haaretz newspaper reported that Mr Dorfman had been working as Mr Ben-Gvir’s Chief of Staff despite not having signed a formal employment contract.
Several days before that report, Mr Dorfman wrote to Mr Shabtai asking that the Police Spokesperson’s Office be reorganised. The letter was signed by Mr Dorfman as the Minister’s Chief of Staff.
The Civil Service Commission responded at the time that Mr Dorfman had no employment contract because, in violation of the rules, he had sought to continue working as a lawyer in private practice while working at the Ministry.
Haaretz also reported in March that senior police officials had accused Mr Dorfman of interfering in their work and of acting disrespectfully to members of the force.
His conduct allegedly led one Chief Superintendent to quit her job.
Unlike his predecessors, Mr Dorfman also reportedly travels in a police vehicle and represented the police in negotiations over the police budget.
Jerusalem, 3 July 2023
