National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir responded on X to journalist Haim Levinson, who applied to volunteer in a Tel Aviv police quick-response squad. Ben Gvir noted that some 14,000 Israeli volunteers serve in over a thousand such squads nationwide, calling it a significant force multiplier for Israel's security.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir responded on X to journalist Haim Levinson, who had announced his application to join a Tel Aviv police quick-response squad—a move first reported by The Zioneer at 17:45 Jerusalem on Thursday. Levinson had written that he wanted to contribute more since October 7, following his father's path as a police officer. Ben Gvir welcomed the bid, touting the network of some 14,000 volunteers in over a thousand squads—kitat konenut—that he established, calling it a major security revolution for Israel. He added that the squad in Tel Aviv has an excellent commander whom he knows personally.
As The Zioneer reported on Thursday afternoon, Levinson's application was the initial development in this thread. The minister's public reply, posted shortly afterward at around 17:45–17:54 Jerusalem, marks the first official response to the journalist's offer. No further detail has yet emerged from either party regarding the application's processing or acceptance.
The quick-response squads have been a flagship initiative of Ben Gvir's tenure. He has repeatedly highlighted their role as a force multiplier, framing the volunteer network as a grassroots security measure. The Zioneer reported earlier on Thursday that Ben Gvir cited the 14,000 figure in his response.
It remains unclear whether Levinson's application will be approved or how the Tel Aviv squad's command will proceed. Neither Levinson nor the Tel Aviv police district has commented further as of this update.
2 developments
- StrongBen Gvir addresses 5,000 emergency squad volunteers despite attorney general opposition
- DevelopingBen Gvir claims he recruited 1,400 Haredim to police, Border Police
- DevelopingBen-Gvir demands to appear with police officers on duty for election campaign
- StrongBen Gvir praises appointment of Eran Nahon as legal advisor to Israel Police
Source and signal
- Open-source intake