Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai to end term at midnight

Outgoing Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai speaks during a farewell ceremony in his honor at the National Police Academy in Beit Shemesh, July 14, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Outgoing Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai speaks during a farewell ceremony in his honor at the National Police Academy in Beit Shemesh, July 14, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Police Chief Kobi Shabtai will end his term at midnight and his deputy Avshalom Peled will take over as acting commissioner, police say in a terse announcement.

Shabtai’s term has been marked by repeated conflict with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir who has tried to exert greater authority over the force.

During his farewell ceremony on Sunday, Shabtai urged against making the law enforcement body political, without directly naming Ben Gvir.

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