Tuesday, July 23, 2024, 8:02 The Police Investigation Unit (PIU) announced that they would file an indictment against a police officer who was filmed pulling the beard and side curls of a Yehuda and Shomron resident who was taking part in a protest two years ago against the lack of security for Jewish citizens in Israel. Honenu filed a complaint with the PIU over the police brutality on behalf of the resident. However, the case was closed five months ago without an indictment, despite clear documentation of the brutality, as the PIU claimed that there was insufficient evidence to put the officer on trial. In April 2024, Honenu Attorney Eladi Weisel appealed the PIU’s decision, which led to the reopening of the case.
Border policeman attacks protester; Video credit: Free use
In the appeal, Attorney Weisel described the brutal treatment of the Yehuda and Shomron resident: “On March 29, 2022, a protest was held near the main Yitzhar junction. The protesters, among them the complainant, attempted to reach the traffic circle at the junction so that they could hold the protest at a more central and conspicuous location. On their way to the circle, the protesters were stopped by border police officers who prevented them from reaching the junction. The complainant tried to cross the street and pass the officers, but was blocked by them. At this point, an argument began between the complainant and the officers who demanded that he leave the site, and tried to shove him away. Suddenly, the complainee [an officer] grasped the complainant’s beard and violently pulled it. Although the complainant screamed in pain, the complainee continued to pull on his beard and also his side curls as he dragged the complainant to the sidewalk.”
Attorney Weisel also cited the officer’s testimony. Under interrogation, the officer claimed that he had not pulled the complainant’s beard and side curls, and that the complainant had not screamed in pain. This testimony was contradicted by PIU investigators who had watched a video clip documenting the assault and also documented it in writing. Additionally, Attorney Weisel cited the refutation of the claim by the officer that he had acted as he had because the complainant assaulted another officer. The police officer filming the incident stopped before it was over in an attempt to prevent documentation of the complainee’s brutality. In light of the evidence and the contradictions, Attorney Weisel demanded that an investigative case be opened and the officer be put on trial.
Honenu Attorney Eladi Weisel commented on the case: “We welcome the PIU’s decision to reopen the case and put the offending officer on trial. We hope that this decision is the first step in ridding the police of the unjustifiable brutality with which law-abiding protesters and other citizens are frequently treated. We will continue to insist that the right of Yehuda and Shomron residents to protest is ensured. A police officer who unjustifiably uses violent means should be dealt with by the appropriate authority.”