Setting aside all the furor over the new government's policies, what has been the actual impact on the ground? This question was asked by veteran journalist Rina Matsliah on Reshet Bet on Thursday with regard to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Matsliah asked Police Spokesman Commissioner Eli Levy whether the appointment of Otzma Yehudit party leader Itamar Ben-Gvir as National Security Minister has effected a change, to which Levy replied in the affirmative.
"One thing I can say, speaking as someone who's out there, on the ground, is that Itamar Ben-Gvir's appointment has had a huge deterrent effect, primarily in the Arab sector," Levy said. "There's a certain sense of caution, of tense wariness, since he arrived in government."
Levy added that, "The police are implementing the new government's regulations, those of the political-security cabinet and the [National Security] Minister. We're all partners in this and we're all in a determined battle against violence and crime in the Arab sector.
"When Ben-Gvir visited the senior command staff at national police headquarters, he brought with him a tremendous amount of energy and desire to give, and stressed his intention to invest, to provide enhanced resources, and to increase the salaries of police officers," Levy added.