A month and a half after he took office, the first confrontation between Commissioner Kobi Shabtai and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gabir. A little while after Ben Gabir announced that he would summon the commander of the Jerusalem District for a clarification conversation following the events of the demonstration tonight, the Commissioner announced that he was backing the “G.
The police statement said: “Following the demonstration that took place this evening in Jerusalem, Police Commissioner R.N. Kobi Shabtai backs the Jerusalem District, its commanders and the head of it, Superintendent Doron Turgeman, for standing firm and exercising discretion in handling the protest and later in violating the order.”
Regarding Ben Gabir’s need to demand a call from the police even before the end of the demonstration, the police say: “Also, the Commissioner regrets that the matter is being investigated publicly, while the police forces are operating in the field, and not through an operational investigation of my affairs, which is carried out at the end of the activity as usual.”
Ben Gabir broke the hierarchy of command and summoned the HMM for a clarification call
In Srogim we reported on the left-wing demonstration that began on Gaza Street, near Netanyahu’s private home. The demonstrators broke through the police barriers and advanced to Paris Square near the Prime Minister’s official residence, and from there through King George Street to Jaffa Street and the light rail line, which they blocked for a long period of time.
Blocking the light rail on Jaffa Street (police spokesmen)
Blockade of Balfour Street (Photo: Crime Minister)
Minister Ben Gabir’s office stated: “The Jerusalem police lost control over the anarchists. An incident in which burning tires were set on fire near the Prime Minister’s residence, road number 1 was blocked, and light rail traffic was blocked – these are all extremely serious incidents in which police and security forces were on the scene, but received An explicit instruction not to enforce the law and not to confront the rioters.”
His office also stated: “Against the background of expected violent demonstrations in front of the Knesset this coming Monday, the Minister of National Security invited the commander of the Jerusalem District for a clarification conversation, this evening, to understand why the instruction was given not to enforce the law this evening in Jerusalem.”