Israeli police officer faces discipline for calling National Security Minister Ben-Gvir ‘convicted criminal’

​​​​​​​JERUSALEM

An Israeli police officer is set to face disciplinary action after referring to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as a “convicted criminal,” media reports said Saturday.

The report by Haaretz said police concluded in its investigation that describing Ben-Gvir as a “convicted criminal” constituted a “political statement,” despite his criminal record, including convictions for 13 offenses, among them “supporting a terrorist organization.”

Ben-Gvir, who has been accused of attempting to turn the police into a “private militia,” has convictions that include incitement to racism, identifying with a terrorist organization, propaganda for a terrorist organization, participation in an illegal gathering, taking part in a riot and damage to property.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara previously petitioned the Supreme Court to remove Ben-Gvir from office, citing unlawful political interference in the police and harm to democratic order.

The Supreme Court postponed a hearing on the petition to April 15.

*Writing by Merve Berker