Police chief hugs Ben Gvir despite blaming him for 2021 riots
Far-right MK leader Itamar Ben Gvir and Israel Police Chief Kobi Shabtai share a hug and exchange words despite Shabtai accusing the Otzma Yehudit leader of provoking the May 2021 intercommunal riots that left several dead, hundreds injured, and resulted in widespread rioting. damage to property.
Shabtai and Ben Gvir meet at a United Hatzalah ceremony for the dedication of a new ambulance, shaking hands, hugging and talking briefly after sitting next to each other at the event.
Ben Gvir has demanded that he be appointed minister of public security, a position with authority over the police, in ongoing coalition talks with Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
The police chief would serve under Ben Gvir if the latter were appointed as public security minister in the next government.
ועכשיו עם הוידאו: אחרי שקרא לפטר את המפכ”ל שהאשים אותו באחריות לשומר חומות, איתמר בן גביר והמפכ”ל קובי שבתאי לוחצים ידיים ומתחבקים בטקס במשמר השבעה של איחוד הצלה, רגע לפני שמנהיג עוצמה יהודית הופך לשר לביטחון הפנים.
שבתאי אפילו קם לכבודו. מי ידע שכך יהיה. pic.twitter.com/gkQZ8r8IJR—Josh Breiner (@JoshBreiner) November 14, 2022
In May 2021, during Israel’s conflict with Gaza, Shabtai allegedly blamed Ben Gvir for deadly riots in mixed Jewish and Arab cities, citing the Otzma leader’s decision to set up an ad hoc office in the volatile Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. in East Jerusalem, sparking clashes with Palestinian residents shortly before widespread riots broke out.
In an incident during the subsequent riots, Ben Gvir called on activists to stage a demonstration in Ramle, one of the focal points of the riots.
Hundreds of extremist Jewish activists, many from outside the city, turned up in Ramle and rioted, attacking Arab-driven vehicles and trying to enter an Arab neighborhood before riot police drove them back.
