Kobi Shabtai

High Court to hear bid forcing Netanyahu to fire Ben-Gvir, petitioners push pattern-of-conduct case

The hearing will be held before an expanded nine-justice panel and, in an unusual procedural step, will be broadcast live while closed to the public because of concern over disruptions.

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir in a Knesset plenum about the death penalty bill, in Jerusalem. March 24, 2026.
Newly appointed Police Commissioner Daniel Levi at a ceremony of new appointments and ranks of the Israeli police, at the Ministry of National Security in Jerusalem, on July 4, 2023.

The responsibility of new Police Commissioner Daniel Levi: Protect the public first - editorial

 Chief of police Kobi Shabtai speaks during a farewell ceremony in his honor, at the National Police Academy in Beit Shemesh, on July 14, 2024.

Kobi Shabtai's first speech since resigning: 'The police stopped Hamas on Oct 7'

 The new bulletproof ambulances.

Israel Police debut first ever bulletproof ambulances


Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai is a disgrace - editorial

Israel deserves a better police force and the police deserve a better chief. It will be impossible to truly rehabilitate the police while Kobi Shabtai remains in the top position.

 Chief of police Kobi Shabtai, Minister of Public Security Omer Bar Lev and Israeli police officers at the Israel Police Independence Day ceremony at the National Headquarters of the Israel Police in Jerusalem May 1, 2022.

Ben-Gvir will visit the Temple Mount in coming days, advisor estimates

"Political winds will not sweep through Israeli police," Kobi Shabtai wrote in a Friday open letter to law enforcement officials.

 OTZMA YEHUDIT Party head Itamar Ben-Gvir and Israel Police Commissioner Insp.-Gen. Kobi Shabtai attend a ceremony last month

Meron disaster panel sets hearing date for Netanyahu, warned officials

The inquiry has questioned top political officials, all of whom had been holding their breath about whether the inquiry would place the blame on them during an election season.

The bodies of the victims of the tragedy at Mount Meron on Lag Ba'omer.

Is Israel's police chief on his way out?

Despite attempts by Kobi Shabtai to bridge the gap with Itamar Ben-Gvir, the latter’s need for quick results could mean designating a more cooperative Police chief.

 Israeli chief of Police Kobi Shabtai attends Constitution Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on June 15, 2022.

Mount Meron committee issues second interim recommendations

The commission was established in mid-2021 following the death of 45 men and boys on April 30, 2021, in a mass crush on Mount Meron, the site of the tomb of Talmudic sage Shimon Bar Yochai.

 THEN-PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu stands to the right of then-internal security minister Amir Ohana and Police Chief Insp.-Gen. Kobi Shabtai, during their visit to the scene of the tragedy at Mount Meron last year.

Bar-Lev claims Police Chief has no authority to shut down social media

Israeli Police chief Kobi Shabtai recommended shutting off access to social media if riots similar to those that swept Israel during Operation Guardian of the Walls hit the country again.

 Omer Bar-Lev, Israel's Minister of Public Security walks with Israeli police officers at the site of a shooting incident in Jerusalem's Old City.

Security forces on high alert as terror attack threat during holidays rises

Increased police operations will include the deployment of thousands of police officers at road checkpoints, shopping and entertainment centers, synagogues and gathering areas all over the country.

 Israeli chief of Police Kobi Shabtai attends Constitution Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on June 15, 2022.

Israel Police chief recommends shutting off social media during riots

The police chief stressed that he was only referring to "the most extreme scenario" and that he only wanted to block inciting users.

 Chief of police Kobi Shabtai, Minister of Public Security Omer Bar Lev and Israeli police officers at the Israel Police Independence Day ceremony at the National Headquarters of the Israel Police in Jerusalem May 1, 2022.

Israel Police already looking to life after chief Kobi Shabtai

The police commissioner's tenure has been marred by controversy and disaster, and he is only halfway through.

 Chief of police Kobi Shabtai  tesitfies before the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee, in Jerusalem, on April 11, 2022.

45 Israelis were killed at Meron, why is no one accountable? - opinion

When officials see those tactics work, why would they even bother trying to fix the problems that plague Israel? Why would they bother trying to solve some of the decades-old challenges Israel faces?

 THEN-PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu stands to the right of then-internal security minister Amir Ohana and Police Chief Insp.-Gen. Kobi Shabtai, during their visit to the scene of the tragedy at Mount Meron last year.