Israel Police lacks manpower to handle widespread chaos in the country

Published: JUNE 6, 2023 16:25

Chief of Police Kobi Shabtai and Head of Jerusalem police district Doron Turgeman National Security Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on February 22, 2023. (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) — Chief of Police Kobi Shabtai and Head of Jerusalem police district Doron Turgeman National Security Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on February 22, 2023.

(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Police Chief Kobi Shabtai told a Knesset committee that due to severe manpower issues, the police force cannot handle situations like Guardian of the Walls.

Israel Police may not have the manpower to handle another situation like in Operation Guardian of the Walls, Police Chief Kobi Shabtai said in a meeting on Tuesday.

Shabtai spoke at a meeting of the State Audit Committee in the Knesset on lessons learned during the operation.

"If there is another multi-scene event in the country, we won't be able to handle it," he said. "If the police salary issue is not solved, I don't see the situation improving."

The manpower problem is seemingly because of salaries

According to Shabtai, the situation is catastrophic with every police station in the country suffering from manpower issues.

"The budget has a sum dedicated to this," he added. "I hope it's enough. We'll know in the coming days. But were are not in the ideal situation."

Israel Police officers during riots in Umm el-Fahm, April 5, 2023. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

In April, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that "disgraceful salaries for police officers won't happen on my watch". He later repeated himself when he was promised NIS nine billion for his national guard, although that was not included in the state budget.

During Operation Guardian of the Walls, widespread riots broke out across the country with Arabs and Jews behaving violently against each other including a number of lynches.