Police Department Chief Fired in the Abu-hatzeira Case

The Supreme Court said today that it would consider next Wednesday an appeal by two police officers to overturn the dismissal of Inspector General of Police Herzl Shafir by Interior Minister Yosef Burg yesterday. Burg gave no official reason for firing Shafir who took office exactly one year go as head of Israel’s Police Department. But the officer was quoted as telling aides that he had “fallen victim to political pressure.”

Burg acted after consultation with Premier Menachem Begin. On Tuesday, Shafir admitted before the Knesset’s Interior Committee that a police spokesman, Arye Arad, had deliberately leaked false information to the press in the case of Religious Affairs Minister Aharon Abu-Hatzeira who was indicted a month ago on three counts of bribe-taking.

Yesterday, however, the police issued an official communique–apparently authorized by Shafir–stating that the information was in fact correct and that there was nothing illegal about feeding information to the press if it served the purpose of an investigation. The information concerned the number of witnesses the prosecution has against Abu-Hatzeira.

POLICE BRASS ANGRY OVER FIRING

Burg met with senior police officers today to explain why he fired Shafir. But the police brass is in ferment over Burg’s swift action and a number of other officers, including Shafir himself, may join the appeal to reverse Burg’s order. Several Knesset members have filed urgent agenda motions on the matter.

Shafir, a former army Deputy Chief of Staff, was generally held in high regard for his efforts to reorganize the police force. Police Inspector Arye Invitzan, commander of the southern district, is expected to be named next week to succeed Shafir.