Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai addressed the media Saturday evening.
“For 10 weeks, the police are protecting the freedom of democracy, there is a small number of those who were harmed. With the freedom to protest, we kept public order. The minister has his policy, and we are putting it to fruition.” he stated.
“We don’t want to see blood in the streets, not a demonstrator bleeding from a stun grenade, nor a woman in handcuffs,” he continued.
Last Thursday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Commissioner removed Tel Aviv District Commander Ami Ashad from his post amid the demonstrations against the government’s judicial reform legislation and transferred him to head the Police Academy.
“There was a planned line of appointments, Ami is a professional and talented officer, and without connection to the protests, his appointment was planned for after Ramadan. I was mistaken in my discretion, timing, and way I did things,” stated the commissioner,
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara ordered the removal to be frozen due to a “suspicion regarding the move’s legality.”
“I respect and accept the Attorney General’s decision regarding the appointment.” The Commissioner emphasized: “I am committed to upholding the legal right to protest and demonstrate as long as it’s done in the bounds of the law and I will not give up due to political pressure. I never deserted a battle or a war, and I will not do so now. I am committed to doing what’s best for Israel.”
In the meantime, six active officers ranked Deputy Commissioner, a third of the Police brass, called on Shabtai to resign amid Ashad’s removal.