Amichai Eshed

Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai speaks during a State Control Committee meeting at the Knesset, June 6, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)

Police chief says he won’t seek 4th year in office ‘under these conditions’

Kobi Shabtai, who has had a series of public disagreements with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, says he is not looking to extend his time in position

June 25, 2023, 8:56 pm

Police chief says he won’t seek 4th year in office ‘under these conditions’

Kobi Shabtai, who has had a series of public disagreements with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, says he is not looking to extend his time in position

By ToI Staff

A composite image of Tel Aviv District Commander Amichai Eshed, Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 and Erik Marmor/Flash90)

June 13, 2023, 9:18 pm

Ben Gvir said to scold police over arrest of Pride Parade counter-protester

National security minister reportedly sends letter of complaint to Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai and Tel Aviv District Commander Ami Eshed, accusing them of violating the law

By ToI Staff

Participants at the annual Pride Parade in Tel Aviv, on June 10, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

June 8, 2023, 9:08 am

Tens of thousands set to attend Tel Aviv’s 25th Pride Parade

Event marking anniversary of LGBTQ community’s annual parade to be split in two due to intense heat, with march taking place Thursday afternoon and party on Friday

By Michael Horovitz

Head of Israel Police's Planning Division, Danny Karibo at the Israel Police Independence Day ceremony at the National Headquarters of the Israel Police in Jerusalem, May 1, 2022. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)

May 23, 2023, 5:20 pm

Senior police official retires after being sidelined on budget management

Deputy Commissioner Danny Karibo leaves force; Tel Aviv commander Eshed expected to be replaced at behest of National Security Minister Ben Gvir

By ToI Staff

Tel Aviv District Chief of Police Amichai Eshed is greeted by protesters during a rally against the government's judicial overhaul in Tel Aviv on March 11, 2023. (Erik Marmor/ Flash90)

May 1, 2023, 10:37 pm

TA police chief refuses to discuss transfer with commissioner: ‘An invalid procedure’

Ami Eshed sends letter to Kobi Shabtai via attorney claiming his summoning for an interview for another position is a thinly veiled effort to remove him from the force

By ToI Staff

Tel Aviv District Police Commander Amichai Eshed in Tel Aviv, April 7, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

April 18, 2023, 8:27 pm

‘Same fate as Eichmann’: Tel Aviv police chief’s security raised after death threats

Amichai Eshed faces highest danger level, is provided with armed guards; online antagonists liken him to Nazis, call to put him on trial and sentence him to death

By ToI Staff

Chief of Israel Police's Tel Aviv district, Amichai Eshed, at the scene of a car-ramming attack in Tel Aviv, April 7, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

April 17, 2023, 10:07 pm

After nixing ouster of Tel Aviv top cop, AG says Ben Gvir must make new decision

Gali Baharav-Miara cites concern of a ‘causal link’ between minister’s criticism of Amichai Eshed’s handling of anti-government protests and decision to remove him from post

By ToI Staff

Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai (second right) speaks to officers at a police training facility near Kfar Sirkin, in central Israel, March 17, 2023. (Israel Police)

March 17, 2023, 2:47 pm

Police chief vows force to stay ‘apolitical,’ in apparent dig at Ben Gvir

Kobi Shabtai says cops will only act according to law, days after AG tells High Court that far-right minister may have ‘crossed the line’ by meddling in police operations

By ToI Staff

Police chief Kobi Shabtai, left, and Itamar Ben Gvir at a Hanukkah ceremony in Jerusalem on December 19, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

March 15, 2023, 10:09 am

Fears of police politicization have already been realized, laments deputy AG

As Knesset committee debates bill subordinating police commissioner to Ben Gvir, Gil Limon says original law passed in December has been enough to erode force’s independence

By Michael Bachner

National Security Minister in Jerusalem for discussions with senior police officials ahead of a planned protest against the government's judicial overhaul legislation outside the Knesset, February 20, 2023. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)

March 14, 2023, 4:52 pm

High Court rejects Ben Gvir’s effort to circumvent AG with private legal counsel

The national security minister had sought High Court’s permission to use alternate representation in legal motions against him, due to his ‘lack of faith’ in the attorney general

By Jeremy Sharon

March 13, 2023, 8:05 pm

Police chief said to order senior cops to avoid direct contact with Itamar Ben Gvir

Instruction reportedly comes after minister pressured commanders during protests; top Tel Aviv cop Eshed rejects Shabtai apology following near-ousting

By ToI Staff

Chief of Police Kobi Shabtai speaks with IDF Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi (left) at the Police headquarters in Jerusalem on January 27, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

March 13, 2023, 1:11 pm

Daily Briefing Mar. 13: IDF head’s corrected gaffe underscores conflicted military

Editor David Horovitz on botched dismissal of Tel Aviv’s top cop, whether now is the time for a constitution; military correspondent Emanuel Fabian on Thursday’s terror attack

By ToI Staff

Composite photo: Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben Gvir, left, during a faction meeting at the Knesset on November 21, 2022; Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara speaks at Tel Aviv University on September 28, 2022. (Flash90)

March 13, 2023, 11:17 am

Ben Gvir, AG tensions spike over High Court petitions, Tel Aviv police chief affair

Baharav-Miara says can’t agree to ultranationalist minister’s request he be granted independent counsel for High Court petitions against expansion of ministerial power over police

By Jeremy Sharon

Otzma Yehudit chief Itamar Ben Gvir (R) and Israel Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai attend a Hanukkah ceremony at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, December 19, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

March 13, 2023, 6:58 am

Tel Aviv police crisis presages potential constitutional showdown

Should the High Court move to strike down judicial overhaul and the government reject its ruling, an unprecedented crisis looms; police and army would be unclear on whom to follow

By Carrie Keller-Lynn

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir seen at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv ahead of anti-government demonstrations, March 9, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

March 12, 2023, 7:08 pm

Ben Gvir demands independent counsel, says he can’t rely on attorney general

Far-right minister slams Gali Baharav-Miara for ‘exceeding her authority’ by freezing move to reassign top cop; warns ‘day is coming when we will need to make a decision about her’

By Jeremy Sharon