National Security Minister Ben-Gvir seeks dismissal of Police Commissioner Shabtai

MAY 28, 2024 08:59

Updated: MAY 28, 2024 19:41

Chief of police Kobi Shabtai with Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir at the scene of a terror attack in the Jewish settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim, outside of Jerusalem, August 1, 2023. (photo credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) — Chief of police Kobi Shabtai with Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir at the scene of a terror attack in the Jewish settlement of Ma’aleh Adumim, outside of Jerusalem, August 1, 2023.

(photo credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

The decision has been deemed illegal by Israel's Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has summoned Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai for a hearing set to take place on Wednesday, seeking to end his term early, Israeli media reported on Monday.

In response to the developments, the Movement for Quality Government in Israel (MQG) said it would appeal this decision to Israel’s High Court.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara reportedly told Ben-Gvir that inviting the police commissioner to such a hearing was illegal.

Attorney General's statements

““Summoning the commissioner for a hearing by the minister, with empty claims of ‘dysfunction,’ is a blatant attempt to interfere with the independence of the police and the powers of the professional echelon, the MQG stated. “This is a clear deviation from the minister’s powers and a violation of the rule of law.”

Chief of police Kobi Shabtai and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir at a ceremony of new appointments and ranks of the Israeli police, at the Ministry of National Security in Jerusalem, on July 4, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Ben-Gvir has made previous statements about his intentions to replace Shabtai and has already recommended Avshalom Peled as a candidate.

Ben-Gvir and Shabtai have clashed on numerous issues, including the Meron disaster for which Ben-Gvir blamed Shabtai.

The two also clashed over Ben-Gvir’s announcement in March 2023 that he would remove Tel Aviv District Police Chief Ami Eshed over lax police conduct during the judicial reform protests. Shabtai later claimed the decision to be Ben-Gvir’s, saying that Eshed would remain in his post until the Attorney-General intervened on the matter.

The Jerusalem Post Staff and Maariv contributed to this report.