Ministry of National Security (Israel)
The Ministry of National Security, formerly the Ministry of Internal Security and Ministry of Police, is a government agency of Israel.
The Ministry of National Security is the statewide law enforcement agency and oversees the Israel Police, the Israel Prison Service and the Israel National Fire and Rescue Services, Israel Border Police, National Headquarters for the Protection of Children on the Internet, National Authority for Community Safety and the Authority for Witness Protection.
The position has been held by Itamar Ben-Gvir since March 2025.
History
The Minister of National Security is the political head of the ministry.Until 1995 the position was known as Minister of Police. The first Minister of Police, Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit, a former policeman, held this position from May 1948 until a month before his death in January 1967. He served in fourteen governments, making him the country's longest continually serving minister.
The post was abolished after Menachem Begin became Prime Minister in 1977, but was reinstated in 1984 when Shimon Peres was elected.
In December 2022, the position was renamed again, changing from Minister of Public Security to Minister of National Security. This move has been criticized as an unnecessary expense for taxpayers.
In February 2024, Ben-Gvir's appointment as minister was challenged but Israel's High Court of Justice turned down the petition to nullify this appointment.
Deputy ministers
Agencies
- Israel Police
- * Border Guard
- * Civil Guard
- Firearm Licensing Department
- Israel Anti-Drug & Alcohol Authority
- Israel Witness Protection Authority
- Urban enforcement system
- National Headquarters for the Protection of Children on the Internet
- National Guard of Israel
- Israel Fire and Rescue Services
- Israel Prison Service
- Police & Prison Service Personnel Ombudsman
Unit for Public Inquiries and Complaints