[1/9] People take part in a demonstration after the Tel Aviv police chief quit citing government meddling against anti-government protesters in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 5, 2023.
Soon after Eshed's announcement, hundreds of protesters carrying Israeli flags and chanting "democracy" marched through Tel Aviv.
"I could have easily met these expectations by using unreasonable force that would have filled up the emergency room of Ichilov (Tel Aviv hospital) at the end of every protest," Eshed said.
The leader of the Jewish Power party has since rebuked police for its treatment of protesters.
Other members of Netanyahu's nationalist-religious coalition have echoed Ben-Gvir, saying police have shown favourable treatment to the protesters who have filled Tel Aviv streets weekly since January, compared with what they see as far harsher treatment of settlers and ultra-Orthodox protesters.
Persons:
Nir Elias JERUSALEM, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Ami Eshed, Itamar Ben, Gvir, Eshed, Ben, Daniel Wallis
Organizations:
Tel, Tel Aviv police, REUTERS, National, Jewish Power, Thomson
Locations:
Tel Aviv, Israel, Tel, Ichilov