Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai will step down from his post, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced on Sunday.
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In a short video message, Ben-Gvir referenced his continued dispute with Shabtai, saying "it's no secret that we haven't always seen eye to eye," adding that Shabtai was an excellent and loyal servant to Israel.
Shabtai, who has served in his current role for the better part of three years and under three different administrations, confirmed he would not continue under the current political climate.
It is understood that Ben-Gvir has long ago decided against extending Shabtai's term for another year, as the two clashed over the minister's efforts to expand his control over the police.
The deteriorating relationship between the two is due to a number of disagreements, including over Ben-Gvir's initiative to enlist the Shin Bet agency in the task of combating skyrocketing crime rates in the Arab sector.
Most recently, Ben-Gvir on Sunday instructed police to investigate what he called the collective punishment imposed on the Jewish community of Ateret in Samaria the day before.
"It is forbidden to punish an entire public. Given that it wasn't permissible to seal off Issawiya [a Palestinian neighborhood in Jerusalem], it's not clear why it was possible to seal off the settlement of Ateret," said a statement released by Ben-Gvir's office.
He demanded an explanation of why police blocked the entry to the community and carried out inspections of all those entering and leaving.
The police apparently sealed the community in connection with the burning by Jews of at least two homes and two cars in the nearby Arab village of Umm Safa on Saturday. Clashes between the two sides resumed later on nearby Highway 60.
Shabtai also came under heavy pressure to resign in April 2022, when 45 people died in a stampede during celebrations at Mt. Meron.
i24NEWS and JNS.org contributed to this report.
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