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Israel’s police chief Kobi Shabtai to Ben-Gvir: “We are not your militia” – Israeli politics

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Israeli Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai stressed the police’s resilience and independence from political influence, citing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Addressing the country’s ongoing challenges, Shabtai stressed the crucial role of the police in maintaining national social resilience in the face of growing dissent and frustration. He reiterated his unwavering commitment to investigate all cases of excessive use of force by police officers and assured that “any exceptional case of police officers using disproportionate force will be thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities.”

Shabtai stressed that the right to protest must be balanced with maintaining public order. He expressed deep concern about the increasingly hostile rhetoric towards the police and called for a significant reduction in violence and divisive discourse. “As a country that wants to thrive, we must ensure that our police officers do not become the national whipping boy,” he said. “We do not have another police force. This is our police force.”

Shabtai’s remarks strongly refuted the notion that politicians have influence over the police. “Our police are not the militia of a particular minister,” he said. He praised the Israeli police as one of the best in the world, while acknowledging the problematic nature of their duties, such as controlling crowds and making arrests, which often do not meet with public approval.

Shabtai’s comments came at a time of ongoing tensions with Ben-Gvir, who has been criticized for trying to influence police operations. Ben-Gvir recently formed a three-person advisory team to assist Shabtai in what was seen as an attempt to control police operations, leading to public clashes and heated exchanges between the two.

Police Chief Kobi Shabtai and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir at a ceremony to appoint new staff and ranks of the Israel Police at the Ministry of National Security in Jerusalem on July 4, 2023. (Source: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Looking to the future, Shabtai called on the public to recognize the non-political nature of the police. “The Israel Police is not political, never has been and never must be,” he said, stressing the importance of preserving the independence and autonomy of the police within the framework of the rule of law.

Shabtai alludes to the end of his term

“In a few days I will end my term as commissioner. I end my journey with a sense of responsibility and gratitude for the privilege of taking the lead,” he said, assuring that he is leaving behind a solid and capable police force.



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