"Salutes to the police and supports their actions",
this is what Commissioner Kobi Shabtai will say this evening (Thursday) in a speech in which he will refer for the first time to the riots in yesterday's demonstrations.
At the POM graduation ceremony, at the National Police College, Shabtai will say, among other things: "I would like to refer to the events of yesterday, difficult and sad events.
The right to protest is the lifeblood of democracy in Israel, and the Israel Police is committed to this.
We consider the right to protest a cornerstone in a democratic country.
At the same time, we cannot put up with violence and disorder on a wide scale, and as a matter of fact, as Commissioner, I cannot put up with attacking policemen. And last night we had 11 policemen injured.
Minister Ben Gabir and Commissioner Shabtai, photo: no credit
The demonstrators break through police barriers during demonstrations, photo: AFP
Police cavalry in the field in front of the protesters, photo: AFP
"On this occasion, I wish both the police officers and the injured citizens a speedy recovery. As someone who stood closely together with the senior command, and followed the sequence of events, I saw with my own eyes what happened. I salute the police officers and support their actions. This does not exempt us from an internal investigation and learning lessons."
Ayalon North is blocked to traffic during the protest, March 1, 2023 // Photo: Kaplan protest
As a reminder, the National Intelligence Service will investigate one of the incidents of throwing a stun grenade in Tel Aviv last night. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gabir responded to an investigation by the National Intelligence Service: "I give my full support to the officer who drove away anarchist rioters last night using a stun grenade."
The minister used the opportunity to attack the police, also against the background of MK Moshe Saada's proposal, revealed in Israel Hayom, to remove her from the prosecutor's office: "My policy is to give full support to the police who, unlike the police, do not sit in an air-conditioned room , but we have to deal with the anarchists, and if Mhash is acting for political considerations, it's time to recalculate a course."
Shabtai also commented on the security situation: "And this is a complex period. It is a complex period both from a criminal point of view and above all from a security point of view. Terrorist incidents have claimed the lives of fourteen (14) Israelis recently. Each incident is investigated, studied and its lessons applied, so that commanders can lead their men to the next mission For homeland security - better."
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