Tel Aviv police chief says political considerations behind expected move to new post

Tel Aviv District Police Chief Amichai Eshed speaks to the media at the scene of a terror attack on Dizengoff Street, in central Tel Aviv, March 9, 2023. (Erik Marmor/Flash90)
Tel Aviv District Police Chief Amichai Eshed speaks to the media at the scene of a terror attack on Dizengoff Street, in central Tel Aviv, March 9, 2023. (Erik Marmor/Flash90)

Ahead of his expected appointment to a new post, Tel Aviv District Police Commander Amichai Eshed charges that the move is political, after a previous effort by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to oust him was blocked by the High Court.

A letter sent by his lawyer to Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, who recommended to Ben Gvir that Eshed be transferred to another job, says the move “is, in effect, his de facto removal from his role.”

“Your considerations are improper, personal, political, and are not professional,” it says, arguing that the move was therefore illegal.

Ben Gvir’s previous effort to remove Eshed as Tel Aviv police commander came after the MK criticized the officer’s handling of mass protests against the government’s plans to overhaul the judiciary.

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