Kobi Shabtai

Yaakov "Kobi" Shabtai (Hebrew: יעקב (קובי) שבתאי; born November 11, 1964) is an Israeli police officer who served as the 19th Commissioner of Israel Police from January 17, 2021 to July 17, 2024. He has previously served as the Commander of the Border Police as a deputy commissioner.

Kobi Shabtai was born on November 11, 1964, in Ashkelon, Israel, to Iraqi Jewish immigrants. He is married with three daughters, including one who serves as a patrol officer in the police and another who enlisted in the Israel Border Police for her national service.

Shabtai was enlisted in the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade in 1982. He was discharged in 1987 at the end of his service at the rank of 'Seren' (Captain).

Shabtai joined the Israel Border Police in 1991.

In July 2020, Shabtai was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Shabtai was appointed Commissioner of Israel Police on January 17, 2021, succeeding Motti Cohen.

On 25 April 2021, Shabtai ordered the removal of barricades preventing access to the Damascus Gate in East Jerusalem after violent protests.

Following the 2021 Mount Meron crowd crush, in which 45 men and children died, Shabtai said "My conscience is clear; I’m not going to resign", and added that he would not allow the police to be scapegoated for the incident. In 2024, a state commission of inquiry found him personally responsible for the incident. The committee said that the findings would have led it to recommend his removal from office, but since his term was extended because of the war in Gaza, it would leave the decision to the government.