Internal Security Minister of Israel

The Internal Security Minister of Israel ( _he. שר לביטחון פנים, "Sar LeBitahon Pnim") is the political head of the Israeli Ministry of Internal Security, which oversees Israel Police and the Israel Prison Service, and a member of the Israeli cabinet. Until 1995 the position was known as Minister of Police ( _he. שר המשטרה, "Sar HaMishtera"). It should not be confused with the Minister of Internal Affairs.

The first Minister of Police, Bechor-Shalom Sheetrit, was a former policeman, and served in the position from Israeli independence in May 1948 until a month before his death in January 1967, serving in fourteen governments and 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 became PM.

There is occasionally a Deputy Minister of Internal Security.

List of Internal Security ministers

¹ Ezra was initially appointed as Acting Minister, with his position confirmed as permanent on 29 November 2004.

Deputy Ministers

External links

* [http://www.knesset.gov.il/govt/eng/GovtByMinistry_eng.asp?ministry=14 All Ministers in the Ministry of Police (Internal Security)] Knesset website