Kobi Shabtai
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Kobi Shabtai | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Shabtai in July 2018 | |
 19th Commissioner of Israel Police | |
| In office January 17, 2021 – July 17, 2024 | |
| Minister | Amir Ohana Omer Bar-Lev Itamar Ben-Gvir |
| Preceded by | Motti Cohen |
| Succeeded by | Avshalom Peled |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Yaakov Shabtai November 11, 1964 Ashkelon, Israel |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Israel |
| Rank | Captain |
Yaakov "Kobi" Shabtai (Hebrew: יעקב (קובי) שבתאי; born November 11, 1964) is an Israeli police officer who served as the 19th Commissioner of Israel Police from January 17, 2021 to July 17, 2024. He has previously served as the Commander of the Border Police as a deputy commissioner.
Biography
[edit]Kobi Shabtai was born on November 11, 1964, in Ashkelon, Israel, to Iraqi Jewish immigrants. He is married with three daughters, including one who serves as a patrol officer in the police and another who enlisted in the Israel Border Police for her national service.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Shabtai was enlisted in the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade in 1982.[3][4] He was discharged in 1987 at the end of his service at the rank of 'Seren' (Captain).[4]
Shabtai joined the Israel Border Police in 1991.[3]
In July 2020, Shabtai was diagnosed with COVID-19.[5]
Commissioner of Israel Police
[edit]Shabtai was appointed the Commissioner of Israel Police on January 17, 2021, succeeding Motti Cohen.[6]
On 25 April 2021, Shabtai ordered the removal of barricades preventing access to the Damascus Gate in East Jerusalem after violent protests.[7][8]
Following the 2021 Mount Meron crowd crush, Shabtai said that he would not allow the police to be scapegoated for the incident.[9]
In a leaked recording of a conversation with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Shabtai said "There's nothing we can do. They murder each other. It’s in their nature. That’s the mentality of the Arabs" resulting in leading Israeli Arab politicians calling for his dismissal for anti-Arab racism.[10]
On 25 June 2023, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir announced that Shabtai tenure as the head of Israel Police would not be extended after the end of his term in January 2024.This announcement was the result of dispute between Gvir and Shabtai.
The outbreak of the Israel–Hamas war on October 7 2023 , resulted in the opposition party National Unity joining the thirty-seventh government led by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a national unity government and the Israeli war cabinet .The new government decided that the tenures of outgoing Israeli officials would be extended in view of the prevailing situation in Israel. In December 2023 , Gvir refused to extend the tenure of Israel Prison Service Commissioner Katy Perry and said that the extension of Shabtai's tenure was also under doubt. However, in January 2024 Shabtai was ultimately asked to continue in his position as the Commissioner of Israel Police until 17 July 2024.[11][12] He was succeeded by Avshalom Peled.[13]
Personal life
[edit]Shabtai graduated Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Master's Degree in Education. He is married, the father of three daughters and lives in Pardes Hanna-Karkur. His daughter Yaer is a police officer with the rank of inspector.
References
[edit]- ^ ""האבא של השוטרים" ימונה למפכ"ל: "לוחם שחושב מחוץ לקופסה"". ynet (in Hebrew). 15 December 2020. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "השוטר מספר 1: המשמרת של קובי שבתאי". Israel Hayom (in Hebrew). 14 January 2021. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ a b Bob, Yonah Jeremy (15 December 2020). "Kobi Shabtai nominated as next police chief". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ a b אייכנר, איתמר (17 January 2021). "מינויו של יעקב שבתאי לתפקיד המפכ"ל אושר בממשלה: "אוכיח שאני ראוי"". ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 20 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ "Border police head diagnosed with virus after attending event with Gantz, Rivlin". The Times of Israel. 4 July 2020. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Cabinet okays Kobi Shabtai as permanent police chief, a job unfilled for 2 years". The Times of Israel. 17 January 2021. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Israeli police take down East Jerusalem barricades after violent protests". France24. 26 April 2021. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ Hasson, Nir; Breiner, Josh (25 April 2021). "After Violent Clashes, Barricades Removed at Jerusalem's Damascus Gate". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Shabtai: I will not let the police be a scapegoat for Mount Meron". The Jerusalem Post. 8 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Israel's Police Chief in Leaked Recording: 'Arabs Murder Each Other. It's in Their Nature'". Haaretz. 8 May 2021. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Ben Gvir extends Israel Police chief's term, resolving war coalition dispute". The Times of Israel. 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Police chief: I accept blame for Meron deaths, am ready to step down". The Times of Israel. 6 March 2024.
- ^ "Controversial police chief nominee Peled begins interim role with limited authority". The Times of Israel. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
