Amichai Eshed

Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, left, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir at the scene of a terror attack in the West Bank settlement of Ma’ale Adumim, outside of Jerusalem, August 1, 2023. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

September 24, 2023, 4:30 pm

Ben Gvir pans Shabtai after he claimed minister tried to politicize police — report

Outgoing police chief says far-right minister ‘lost’ whenever they went ‘head to head’; Ben Gvir reportedly calls Shabtai ‘failed commissioner,’ claims he asked for term extension

By Michael Horovitz

Outgoing Tel Aviv police commander Amichai Eshed speaks at a handover ceremony in Tel Aviv, July 19, 2023. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)

July 19, 2023, 2:52 pm

‘We don’t have any other democracy’: Demoted Tel Aviv police chief takes his leave

Amichai Eshed, who claims he was sidelined for not being tough on anti-overhaul protesters, avoids handshakes with national security minister, commissioner

By Michael Bachner

Israeli border police officers work to disperse demonstrators against the judicial overhaul at Ben Gurion Airport, July 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

July 8, 2023, 10:16 am

Justice officials to attend cabinet, face down pressure to quash protests – report

In unusual move, all top Justice Ministry officials to attend meeting amid concerns of government pressure on police, legal system to suppress anti-overhaul rallies on its behalf

By ToI Staff

Israelis block the Ayalon Highway during a protest against the government's planned judicial overhaul and in response to the removal of Tel Aviv District Commander Amichai Eshed in Tel Aviv, July 5, 2023. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90

July 6, 2023, 9:25 pm

Photographer hit by car at Tel Aviv protest questioned for ‘breaching public order’

Police tell man who was run over by driver he is suspected of participating in blocking of Ayalon Highway on Wednesday

By Gianluca Pacchiani

Protesters against the judicial overhaul block Route 4, July 6, 2023 (Screen grab from Twitter used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

July 6, 2023, 11:22 am

Protesters block key highway as anti-overhaul demonstrations show no sign of easing

Hospital decries use of water cannons in Tel Aviv a day earlier after protesters treated for eye wounds; far-right minister: Ousted Tel Aviv police chief ‘pus that must be removed’

By ToI Staff

Anti-government protesters raise flags and light a fire on the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, following the resignation of Tel Aviv police chief Ami Eshed, on July 5, 2023. (Oren Ziv/AFP)

July 5, 2023, 11:35 pm

Thousands take to the streets, block roads after Tel Aviv police chief steps down

Ayalon blocked for hours; at least 27 held nationwide; 1 injured as driver rams through protest; Eshed says he lost his job for refusing to use disproportionate force to curb demos

By Carrie Keller-Lynn and ToI Staff

Israel Police Tel Aviv District Commander at the National Headquarters of the Israel Police in Jerusalem April 20, 2023. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)

July 4, 2023, 10:14 am

Tel Aviv police chief skips Ben Gvir ceremony removing him from his post

Amichai Eshed claims his transfer to training department is political; national security minister brushes off queries as to why top officer was not at event

By ToI Staff

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

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