After an investigative team clears police of allegations of widespread spying on citizens through their phones, police chief Kobi Shabtai says “the ease by which the entire police force was slandered must be considered.”
Speaking at a Border Police cadet graduation event, Shabtai says: “Something unprecedented happened here. The Israel Police was hit with serious false allegations that critically hurt public trust, not just in the police, but in all law enforcement.”
He adds: “Fake news managed to infiltrate the mainstream media and to cause great harm that will take a great deal of time to mend.”
He says the investigative team led by the state prosecution “left no stone unturned” to check the claims and received “full cooperation” from the force.
Chief of Police Kobi Shabtai speaks during a ceremony in the northern city of Nazareth, on November 9, 2021. (Michael Giladi/Flash90)
He says the media must show greater responsibility in reporting such claims.
“The police do not spy on Israeli citizens. The police do not spy on demonstrators and innocent people,” he says.
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