In a surprise move, the top police officer in Tel Aviv announced his resignation from the service, accusing some of the ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition of interfering with his work and pressuring him to use excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.

Ami Eshed, the Tel Aviv District Commander, did not mention any names, but his statement was widely seen as a direct criticism of the National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a hard-line right-wing politician who had called for a crackdown on protesters who have been blocking roads and highways across the country.

The protesters are opposing the government’s controversial plan to reform the justice system, which they fear will undermine the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.