Kobi Yaakobi

Kobi Yaakobi was born in 1973

Yaakobi was born in 1973. He studied computers at ORT Givat Ram College in Jerusalem. He later earned a bachelor's degree in humanities and social sciences with a focus on criminology, and a master's degree in criminology with honors, from the Hebrew University.

He served as a combat soldier in the Golani Brigade. He then joined the Israel Police and served in the Yasam unit from 1997 to 2003. He went on to command roles, including deputy commander of the Harel and Shalem stations.

In 2020 he became commander of the Moriah Station in Jerusalem and was responsible for policing the protests near the Prime Minister's Residence on Balfour Street. Police were accused of using excessive force there, and he defended their actions. In 2022 he became commander of the Zion Region, and in 2023 he became security secretary to Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

He took office as acting Prison Service commissioner in January 2024 and was named commissioner in May 2024. Human rights groups have alleged abuse of Palestinian detainees under his command, and in September 2025 the High Court ruled that the state had failed to feed prisoners adequately. In December 2024 he was questioned on suspicion of obstruction of justice and breach of trust, and in April 2026 the Attorney General decided to indict him on these charges.

He is married to Tali, has 4 children, and lives in Jerusalem.