In a formal ceremony at the Western Wall tunnels on Thursday, Jerusalem District Police Commander Maj. Gen. Yoram Halevy official stepped down and passed the baton to his successor, Maj. Gen. Doron Yedid.
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, whose ministry oversees the Israel Police and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon were also on hand.
Halevy, 56, has kept Jerusalem relatively quiet in his three years as district commander. He was a top contender for the job of police commissioner and has served in the Israel Police for 35 years.
Speaking at the ceremony, Halevy thanked his police officers and hinted that he was unhappy at not having been appointed commissioner.
"In all my years in the Israel Police, I have acted in service of the nation. In my heart, I knew who could be trusted blindly and who would be there when I needed help. Sadly, in the past few years, I've learned that we live in a different word, [one] of persecution and lacking in praise for individuals and the organization."
Erdan also spoke, saying, "I had the privilege of spearheading, with Maj. Gen. Halevy, a plan for the security of Jerusalem and brought lone-wolf terrorism to an end."
