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Menachem 'Meni' Yitzhaki is a retired Israeli police officer who served as Commissioner of the Israel Police from October 2018 to June 2020. Born on July 4, 1963, in Jerusalem, he joined the Israel Police in 1985 after completing mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces' elite Sayeret Matkal unit. Over a 33-year career, he rose through the ranks, holding key positions including commander of the Jerusalem District (2008-2011), head of the Investigations and Intelligence Division (2011-2014), and Commander of the Southern District (2014-2018). His appointment as Commissioner occurred during a period of heightened security tensions, internal police reforms, and security challenges including the 2018-2019 Gaza border protests and efforts to combat organized crime.
Yitzhaki's tenure was marked by significant controversies, including criticism over police handling of anti-government protests in 2019, allegations of excessive force during demonstrations, and internal investigations into police misconduct. He resigned in June 2020, reportedly due to disagreements with Public Security Minister Amir Ohana and amid a corruption probe involving senior officers, though Yitzhaki himself was not directly implicated. Post-retirement, he has maintained a low public profile while engaging in security consulting and media commentary on law enforcement issues. He is known for his hawkish stance on security matters and his role in modernizing police intelligence capabilities.