I first came to know Brigadier General Gal Hirsch, the 18th Police Commissioner, through his book.
This was after the Second Lebanon War, during which Hirsch received severe criticism, which was unjustified from his perspective.
Three years later, Hirsch published the book 'War Story, Love Story,' and on one of my flights to the US I purchased the book and read it during the flight.
The book impressed me deeply.
Upon landing, I called Hirsch and expressed my feelings to him about the great sorrow and pain he was experiencing.
Hirsch was also excited and asked to meet with me.
When I returned to Israel, we met for a long conversation. Hirsch told me about the suffering and pain his family had endured, especially his young children, and we have been friends ever since.
The news of his appointment as the next Commissioner-General of the State of Israel is particularly gratifying. Indeed, Hirsch is an exceptionally moral person.
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After taking off his uniform, Hirsch founded the company 'Defensive-Shield', which provides strategic and security planning and consulting services to governments and large companies.
Besides being a true organizer, the man often organized conferences in memory of those who fell in the war and asked me to come and give lectures.
Indeed, I complied with his request and spoke at dozens of meetings he organized.
It was important to Hirsch that the commanders in the army also knew and became familiar with the unfamiliar Haredi society, with the charity and rescue organizations that operate in it. He never ceased to be interested, and to try and interest others in a society that is unfamiliar to many in Israel.
I also benefited from it a lot.
Every time the ZAKA organization, of which I am the head, needed help, I would turn to Gal Hirsch and ask for his assistance. Even at odd hours, the man would 'turn' the world upside down to help.
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In recent hours, allegations have been made about his inappropriate attitude towards religion. I say honestly: I had a hard time reading such a stupid report that is so far removed from reality. It is not possible to take a single event and shape a person's personality based on it. Commissioner Gal Hirsch will be much more attentive and sympathetic to the ultra-Orthodox public than his predecessors, in my opinion.
The reason for this is simple: Hirsch does not come from a position of power. He comes from a place of listening.
As a member of the Haredi community and chairman of ZAKA, I worked with six or seven commissioners in my lifetime. I fought with them, argued, endured beatings and yelling.
These mafchalim came from a place of power. Sometimes I would meet one of them after he had taken off his uniform, and had essentially lost all his status - and I would tell them: If only you had the willingness to listen, to sit around one table, not to act immediately with force of arm, as if 'this is what he saw and sanctified' - everything would look different.
Gal Hirsch, I promise you, will act differently. He will be a wonderful Commissioner.
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