Police Commissioner R.N. Yaacov Shabtai is expected to appear today (Wednesday) at 12:00 at the Knesset's Temporary Committee for Internal Security in order to clarify the police's position regarding the bill to amend the Police Ordinance.
As published in "Israel Hayom", in recent days there have been calls for resignation against Shabtai from former commissioners and superintendents, who implored him to end his position in the police "to save his honor".
Following the approval of the law in a preliminary reading last night in the Knesset, there is a growing appreciation in Shabtai's environment that he is expected to express his opposition to hasty legislation.
Close associates say that Shabtai has no intention of resigning, and that he may recommend a gradual legislative process, exercising judgment and thought on each of the sections of the law, as well as referring to the fact that the implementation of a systemic change on this scale may take several years.
The professional cooperation will continue
The amendment to the police order that will allow the designated Minister of National Security, the chairman of Otzma Yehudit MK Itamar Ben Gabir, which was nicknamed the "Ben Gabir Law", gives the minister extensive powers, some at the expense of the commissioner. Among other things, the law allows the minister to receive Decisions regarding the police's enforcement policy In a letter he sent to those wearing the uniform last Friday, Shabtai clarified that "the Israel Police is a central and leading body in the law enforcement system, and as such it will remain state-owned."
Approval of the Ben Gabir Law // Credit: Knesset Channel
In the letter, the Commissioner referred to the public discourse and asked Hadad that the professional cooperation will continue between the police and the emerging government, regardless of the identity of the head of the office.
The Israel Police acted under all the governments that arose in Israel from all ends of the political spectrum, on the basis of professional, state and practical standards."
"Aware of criticism and public discourse"
According to senior officials, including former commissioners and superintendents, the recent attacks by Ben Gvir against the commissioner regarding the appointments of officers to senior positions, as well as the attempt to damage the independence of the police through parliamentary tools, require Shabtai to terminate his position.
A senior official who spoke to "Israel Hayom" claimed that "for 75 years the police were subject to the law. What happened that now obliges them to be subject to politicians?"
In the meantime, MK Ben Gabir replied that he does not want the Commissioner's resignation, and clarified "we will work in cooperation and we will have a good working relationship".
"We will work in cooperation."
Ben Gvir and Shabtai, photo: Koko
Strong opposition was registered regarding the section that gives the minister the possibility to determine the prosecution policy.
"Tomorrow Ben Gvir can state that he does not intend to prosecute the youth of the hills."
The Extras Forum also strongly criticized the planned reform.
"According to the proposed law, the commissioner becomes an administrative officer and a police officer," claimed former senior police officers.
"This is a fatal injury that will make the work of the police and the commissioner difficult."
In the letter Shabtai sought to calm the spirits and noted that "we have always had full cooperation and a listening ear from the political level".
The commissioner addressed the voices and concluded his letter on a personal note, "For three and a half decades I have worn a uniform with pride.
I love the Israel Police and it is home to me.
In my opinion, a commander is tested in moments of crisis, I am alert to criticism and public discourse, the reality is complex and sometimes not fully presented, but my goal is clear: maintaining and protecting the integrity of the Israel Police."
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