Israel Police Commissioner Yaakov (Kobi) Shabtai discussed on Sunday footage that shows police officers hitting anti-government protesters and stated he backs them.
"Yesterday, at 10:30 PM, a group of extremists in Tel Aviv began attempting to break through toward the Ayalon Highway while throwing projectiles at officers and pouring oil on the road," the commissioner stated. "Not one officer left their homes with the goal of attacking a protester. I support the officers who work in the field. I saw the videos from beforehand, and from what I saw, I wouldn't expect any other reaction when people attack officers and violently resist arrest after they disturbed the peace."
Together with Jerusalem District Commander Deputy Commissioner Doron Turgeman, Operations Division Chief Assistant Commissioner Amir Arzani, and Intelligence Division Chief Assistant Commissioner Dror Asraf, Commissioner Shabtai toured the area around the Knesset, where he spoke with officers spread out in the field ahead of the expected demonstrations in the city.
The Commissioner was briefed by Jerusalem District Commander Deputy Commissioner Doron Turgeman on the preparations in the capital and clarified the importance of operational readiness and standing strong to respond to and stop terror-related incidents.
Later, he repeated that Israel Police sees the right to protest as a foundation stone of a democratic state, but with this, he added that the police would show zero tolerance for riots, violence, property and infrastructure damage, harm to signs of government, and incitement to violence.