Despite Warning from Meron Commission, Police Commissioner Won’t Resign

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — On Tuesday, the Meron Commission sent warning letters to senior Israeli officials. In response, Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai made it clear that he does not intend to resign his position.

Here is an excerpt of the warning letter: “After analyzing all of the information that was provided to us, we concluded that there are parties that may be harmed by the inquiry or its findings. Therefore, we have decided to send them warning letters. During the committee’s work, we uncovered many failures by the officials that worked on the issue for years.”

Shabtai’s response made clear that he intends to remain in his position. “This is a time of testing that obliges us, professionally and ethically, to continue police activity for the sake of the security of the state and the public,” he said. “I will continue to lead the Israel Police in this complex period on the way to continuing to achieve the goals of the fight against crime and terrorism, the great mission that guides myself and the other police officers.”

In addition, Likud criticized the committee for sending a letter to party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu, who was in power during the Meron tragedy. “We share in the great pain of the families. Since the founding of the state, no state investigative committee has sent warning letters to election candidates during an election period. It is unfortunate that the investigative committee established at the initiative of the Bennet-Lapid government chose to do so.”

The list of warning recipients included: Binyamin Netanyahu, former ministers Amir Ohana and Rabbi Yaakov Avitan, Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, outgoing northern district chief Deputy Commissioner Shimon Lavi, and police security department chief Assistant Commissioner Morris Hen.