Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai addressed the media Saturday evening.
"The police department has one commissioner," clarified Shabtai. "The orders in the field were clear the entire time. Even if there were doubts about certain incidents, we probed them, and the lessons will be applied in the field. The orders to the commanders and officers are clear 'We don't want to see blood in the streets, not a demonstrator bleeding from a stun grenade, nor a 70-year-old woman in handcuffs. I have an obligation to the police and to the Israeli public.'"
Last Thursday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Commissioner removed Tel Aviv District Commander Ami Ashad from his post amid the demonstrations against the government's judicial reform legislation and transferred him to head the Police Academy.
"There was a planned line of appointments, Ami is a professional and talented officer, and without connection to the protests, his appointment was planned for after Ramadan. I was mistaken in my discretion, timing, and the method in which I did things," stated the commissioner.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara ordered the removal to be frozen due to a "suspicion regarding the move's legality."
"I respect and accept the Attorney General's decision regarding the appointment." The Commissioner emphasized: "I am committed to upholding the legal right to protest and demonstrate as long as it's done within the bounds of the law, and I will not give up due to political pressure. I never deserted a battle or a war, and I will not do so now. I am committed to doing what's best for Israel."
In the meantime, six active officers ranked Deputy Commissioner, a third of the Police brass, called on Shabtai to resign amid Ashad's removal.