The head of Tel Aviv’s police has resigned, and he cites the interference of politicians in the work of the police, demanding the use of force against protesters, as the reason, writes Reuters.
Ami Eshed, commander of the Tel Aviv district, cited pressure from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government, which wants greater use of force against protesters. Speaking to television, the commander said that he was unable to meet the expectations of the “ministerial echelon”, which allegedly broke all the rules and blatantly interfered in the professional decision-making process.
“I could have easily met these expectations by using unreasonable force that would have filled up the emergency room
of Ichilov (Tel Aviv hospital) at the end of every protest,” Eshed said. He added that after three decades in the police force, he is now faced with the demand not to ensure peace, but to do the opposite.
Soon after Eshed’s announcement, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv. Some blocked the main highway, lit bonfires, and fought off police officers on horseback.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir informed Eshed in March that he would be transferred to another post, which would likely hurt his chances of becoming Israel’s police chief. The minister has announced that Eshed has crossed a dangerous line and succumbed to the pressure of left-wing politicians.
Ben-Gvir, who also has a history of supporting terrorism and inciting hatred,
has been trying to gain more power over the police force for some time, raising concerns about police independence. The minister reportedly renounced his views in December and joined Netanyahu’s cabinet, which has alarmed liberals at home and abroad.
Other members of Netanyahu’s nationalist cabinet have echoed Bengvir, saying the police are being too soft on the protesters who have filled the streets of Tel Aviv since January.
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